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Hospitals cancel more operations Hospitals cancel more operations
(about 2 hours later)
More NHS operations were cancelled in England at the last minute in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2007, figures show.More NHS operations were cancelled in England at the last minute in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2007, figures show.
In all 16,800 operations were cancelled for non-medical reasons - around 5,000 a month - up from 14,600 last year.In all 16,800 operations were cancelled for non-medical reasons - around 5,000 a month - up from 14,600 last year.
Leeds Teaching Hospital had the most cancellations, 539, while in many parts of the south-west there were none.Leeds Teaching Hospital had the most cancellations, 539, while in many parts of the south-west there were none.
The Department of Health said the cancelled operations represented 1% of all planned surgery.The Department of Health said the cancelled operations represented 1% of all planned surgery.
The variation between trusts across the country isn't good Professor John Appleby, King's FundThe variation between trusts across the country isn't good Professor John Appleby, King's Fund
Overall, 6% of patients affected were not treated within 28 days.Overall, 6% of patients affected were not treated within 28 days.
That is a slight increase on the previous year when 5% of patients had to wait more than 28 days for their treatment to be rescheduled.That is a slight increase on the previous year when 5% of patients had to wait more than 28 days for their treatment to be rescheduled.
Professor John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund thinktank, said: "There is a slight increase year-on-year, but overall the trend is that the number of cancellations is coming down.Professor John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund thinktank, said: "There is a slight increase year-on-year, but overall the trend is that the number of cancellations is coming down.
"But, the variation between trusts across the country isn't good.""But, the variation between trusts across the country isn't good."
Professor Appleby said non-medical cancellations could be due to problems like operating theatres being over-booked or staff shortages.Professor Appleby said non-medical cancellations could be due to problems like operating theatres being over-booked or staff shortages.
"There is also a lot of seasonal variation in the number of operations cancelled with the most around Christmas and New Year. Nobody wants to be in hospital at Christmas.""There is also a lot of seasonal variation in the number of operations cancelled with the most around Christmas and New Year. Nobody wants to be in hospital at Christmas."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "This is simply unacceptable and will have caused enormous distress to patients waiting for vital treatment, bringing further costs to hospitals having to rearrange operations."