Almost a quarter of elective operations in England cancelled at last minute took longer than 28 days to rearrange

Almost a quarter of elective operations in NHS hospitals in England that were cancelled at the last minute took longer than the required 28 days to rearrange, figures show.

They also reveal that the number of cancellations breaching the 28-day standard for a new date has more than doubled within a decade, from 9,000 in 2015-16 to 19,400 in 2024-25.

The figures obtained by the House of Commons library on behalf of the Liberal Democrats show that a decade ago only 7% of cancelled elective operations were not rearranged within 28 days. Last year’s total of 19,400 cancellations not rearranged in time represents 23% of the 85,400 operations due to take place.

This figure was also up by 1,500 from the previous year – an increase of 8%.

Helen Morgan, the Lib Dem health and social care spokesperson, said the figures showed patients were being abandoned.

She said: “Patients are being left in the lurch, forced to wait in pain and distress for potentially life-altering operations. Each of these delays represents an extra month that someone’s misery is prolonged.”

Read full story

Source: The Guardian, 26 March 2025