What percentage of NHS surgeries in England are cancelled last minute?

Approximately 10% of planned surgeries across England are cancelled within 24 hours or postponed.

How many last-minute surgery cancellations in the NHS are avoidable?

Nearly 40% of last-minute cancellations are considered potentially avoidable if identified earlier.

Why is perioperative care crucial for the NHS?

Strengthening perioperative care is essential for better patient outcomes, increased efficiency, and reducing unacceptably high waiting lists.

Home / Health / NHS Surgery Cancellations Soar: 1 in 10 Delayed

NHS Surgery Cancellations Soar: 1 in 10 Delayed

24 Apr

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Summary

One in ten NHS operations in England cancelled within 24 hours.
Nearly 40% of last-minute surgery postponements could be avoided.
Experts urge NHS to prioritize perioperative care to cut waiting lists.

NHS Surgery Cancellations Soar: 1 in 10 Delayed

Analysis of over 19,900 planned procedures in England found that 10% were cancelled within 24 hours or postponed, with acute medical conditions, list overruns, and no-shows being primary reasons. Researchers highlighted that 37.3% of these cancellations could have been prevented if issues were identified three to five days earlier.

Furthermore, 9% of pre-operative appointments led to postponements, mainly due to patients needing further tests or reviews. Experts emphasize that strengthening perioperative care is crucial for better patient outcomes and NHS efficiency. This approach helps identify at-risk patients early for necessary treatments, while also freeing up slots for lower-risk patients.