Patients left 'waiting in pain' as their operations cancelled over ten times

24 September 2023 , 23:01

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More than 25,000 scheduled surgeries were called off twice or more last year - up from 21,477 the year before (Image: Getty Images)

The number of hospital operations cancelled multiple times rose by nearly 20% in 2022.

More than 25,000 scheduled surgeries were called off twice or more last year - up from 21,477 the year before. The figures also reveal that some patients have seen the same operation cancelled up to 13 times over the past five years. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, whose party obtained the figures, said it is "a scandal that patients are being so catastrophically let down".

Meanwhile the number of NHS appointments cancelled because of strikes in England is estimated to have surpassed one million. NHS Providers, which represents health managers, said the first ever double strike action by junior doctors and consultants last week means the country is set to reach the "damaging and demoralising" new milestone in figures to be announced today.

Access to healthcare is a key focus for the Lib Dems at its Autumn conference currently under way in Bournemouth. Sir Ed said: “At the heart of each of these harrowing statistics is someone waiting in pain for the treatment they need after having their operation cancelled yet again.

“Rishi Sunak promised to bring NHS waiting lists down, instead people are being let down after years of wilful neglect of our local health services under the Conservatives. It is a scandal that patients are being so catastrophically let down, with some seeing their operation cancelled ten times or more.”

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Professor Phil Banfield, council chairman of the BMA, said: "The last thing we ever want is to cause further disruption to the patients in our care and I am extremely sorry that it has come to this. But these strikes are about the long-term sustainability of the NHS and ensuring there are trained doctors around to care for all patients in the future."

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said: "The immediate concern has to be with patients - more than a million and counting - whose care or treatment has been delayed. Trust leaders understand only too well the distress this can bring them and their loved ones. Every effort has been made to mitigate the impact of successive strikes but the rising disruption figures tell only a small part of the story.”

Commenting on strikes, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "This pay award is final, and the majority of unions representing over one million other NHS workers have accepted our offer and called off further strike action. The Health and Social Care Secretary is clear his door is open to discuss non-pay issues if the BMA call an end to this damaging disruption."

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Sophie Huskisson