Surgeons: cancelled NHS operations on rise as patients are let down at the last minute

• Cancelled operations data show over 4,770 people were not treated within 28 days of operation being cancelled, breaching national target
• The Royal College of Surgeons of England is calling for more dedicated surgical hubs to reduce waiting lists and ensure planned operations can proceed as scheduled

NHS figures published today show over 21,053 operations were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons in the three months to the end of March 2024. Today’s figures also show the total waiting list for NHS consultant-led hospital treatment decreased by 916 to 7.54 million. Some patients are on multiple pathways. The number of unique patients is estimated to be around 6.3 million, according to NHS England.

Cancelled operations data show 4,770 patients were not treated within 28 days of their cancellation, in a breach of national targets. The data published today sets out operations that were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons. A last-minute cancellation is one that occurs on the day the patient was due to arrive, after they have arrived in hospital or on the day of their operation.

According to this month’s data the number of patients waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment is 4,770. There were 48,968 patients waiting over 65 weeks. NHS England's operational planning guidance for 2024/25 has set a target to eliminate waits over 65 weeks as soon as possible and by September 2024 at the latest⁴.

Responding to today’s figures, Professor Fiona Myint, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:

“When an operation is cancelled for non-clinical reasons, we’re letting down our patients at the last minute. Many of them have lived with pain and discomfort for too long, and that’s unacceptable.”

“It’s time we addressed critical workforce issues across the NHS. Our latest census⁵ shows we're facing a lack of surgeons, anaesthetists and theatre staff. We also need more operating theatres and ringfenced beds for surgical patients to tackle waiting times - all of which require further funding from the Government.”

The RCS England is urging the establishment of more dedicated surgical hubs to address the waiting list crisis and ensure that planned operations can proceed without additional postponements.

ENDS

Notes to editors:  

1. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research and championing the best outcomes for patients. 
2. NHS England cancelled elective operations data is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancelled-elective-operations/cancelled-ops-data/
3. NHS England Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Data 2023-24 is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/rtt-data-2023-24/
4. NHS England’s document, “Priorities and operational planning guidance 2024/25”, including the target for eliminating waits of over 65 weeks, is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/priorities-and-operational-planning-guidance-2024-25/
5. Advancing the Surgical Workforce: 2023 UK Surgical Workforce Census Report (January 2024) includes the views of all members of the surgical team, including consultants, surgeons in training, specialty and associate specialist (SAS) surgeons, Locally Employed Doctors in surgery (LEDs) and members of the Extended Surgical Team (EST). It has sought information both across the team and specifically within the different professional groups.
6. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6054/6053; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.