31.05.16
Number of cancelled urgent operations increases by 36% in two years
The cancellation rate for urgent operations in the NHS has increased by 36% compared to 2014, according to the latest monthly performance figures.
The figures show that in April 2016, 358 operations were cancelled, a 36% increase from the 228 cancelled in April 2014 and a 16% increase from the 309 cancelled in April 2015.
Between January and March 2016, 23,180 elective operations were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons, a 13% increase from 20,464 in the same period in 2015.
However, today’s figures also show a decrease in critical care bed occupancy rates. Adult bed occupancy was at 80.2%, compared to 84.2% in April 2015 and 85.5% in April 2014.
Paediatric bed occupancy was at 79.3%, compared to 84.8% in April 2015 and 79.5% in April 2015.
Neonatal bed occupancy experienced a small increase from 71.4% in April 2015 to 71.6% in April 2016, but had decreased from 73.3% in April 2014.
The NHS performance figures for March 2015-16 show it is failing to meet key performance indicators, with the number of A&E patients seen or admitted within four hours in the final quarter of the year at the worst since records began.
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