Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, whose party obtained the damning figures on operation cancellations, said it is ‘a scandal that patients are being so catastrophically let down’
The number of hospital operations cancelled multiple times rose by nearly 20% in 2022.
More than 25,000 scheduled surgeries were called off twice or more last year – up from 21,477 the year before. The figures also reveal that some patients have seen the same operation cancelled up to 13 times over the past five years. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, whose party obtained the figures, said it is “a scandal that patients are being so catastrophically let down”.
Meanwhile the number of NHS appointments cancelled because of strikes in England is estimated to have surpassed one million. NHS Providers, which represents health managers, said the first ever double strike action by junior doctors and consultants last week means the country is set to reach the “damaging and demoralising” new milestone in figures to be announced today.
Access to healthcare is a key focus for the Lib Dems at its Autumn conference currently under way in Bournemouth. Sir Ed said: “At the heart of each of these harrowing statistics is someone waiting in pain for the treatment they need after having their operation cancelled yet again.