Fewer procedures cancelled

The number of operations cancelled in Scotland’s NHS dropped to 8.9% during the month of July – down from 9.5% in June 2016. Compared to the same month last year, cancelled procedures are also down 0.6%.

Throughout the month of July, 23,700 operations took place. Out of the 26,018 scheduled procedures, 1,758 were cancelled for clinical reasons, for example where the patient has not properly fasted, or were cancelled by the patient.

In total 453 – 1.7% – were cancelled for non-clinical reasons, down from 1.9% during June 2016.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“I welcome today’s figures which show a drop in the number of procedures cancelled during the month of July.

“The number of operations cancelled for non-clinical reasons remains a very small percentage of the overall number of scheduled procedures taking place in the NHS in Scotland. However, we are always working with health boards to make sure we manage capacity and planning, to keep all cancellations to a minimum.

“On occasion, planned operations may need to rescheduled and these decisions are never taken lightly. Health boards work to ensure disruption to patients is always kept to an absolute minimum, and any postponed procedures will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity. We have made it clear to boards that patients with the greatest clinical need, such as cancer patients, should not have their operations cancelled.

“Under this government the number of people working within the NHS has risen to a record high, with more staff delivering care for the people of Scotland. This includes a 10 per cent increase in medical staff working within surgical specialities.

“We have also committed to investing £200 million to create five new elective and diagnostic centres across the country, as well as expand services at the Golden Jubilee Hospital. These centres will allow people to be treated more quickly for planned surgery which will help the NHS meet increasing demand from a growing elderly population, taking pressure off unplanned and emergency treatment.”