Operations on children and young people are being cancelled in huge numbers as NHS staff shortages bite, Labour reveals today.
More than 12,000 procedures – including for broken bones and treatments under anaesthetic – were scrapped last year, a rise of 35 per cent in just three years, the party said.
A lack of available anaesthetists, surgeons, consultants or theatre staff, as well as bed shortages and a lack of theatre time, were key reasons given by health bodies for the cancellations.
[…]
Labour’s research had uncovered 12,349 cancellations of surgical procedures planned for children and young people in 2016-17, across 76 health trusts, Mr Ashworth said.
This was 35 per cent higher than in 2013-14, when 9,128 cancellations were recorded, he said.
The total number of cancelled children’s operations since 2013-14 was 46,211 – with by far the highest number in London at 12,904.
Article from The Independent, 17 July 2017