NHS anaesthetist shortage prevents 1.5m operations a year, report finds

The NHS is unable to perform 1.5m operations a year because of a drastic shortage of anaesthetists, a report reveals.

More than 8 million patients are on waiting lists across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many are in urgent need of a surgical procedure.

But an alarming lack of anaesthetists – specialist doctors who provide anaesthesia and pain relief before, during and after operations – is preventing the health service from performing about 4,000 procedures a day, the most comprehensive review of anaesthetic services has found.

The UK has 2,256 fewer anaesthetists than it needs, and the record shortfall is derailing NHS efforts to tackle the backlog of care, according to the 63-page report seen by the Guardian.

The crisis is leading to painful delays for thousands of patients, with many on waiting lists experiencing a decline in their physical and mental health, the report says.

As well as limiting NHS capacity, the shortage of anaesthetists is driving up costs, with hospitals having to divert funding to pay for agency locums and shifting staff to plug gaps.

The findings of the review, compiled by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, are being studied by officials in the Department of Health and Social Care, sources said.

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Source: The Guardian, 11 July 2026