Cancer Surgery Cancellations Surge by 8% in NHS England
Startling new figures reveal an 8% rise in cancelled cancer surgeries across NHS trusts in England over the last year. The Liberal Democrats uncovered the alarming stats through Freedom of Information requests, exposing a deepening crisis in cancer care.
Almost 4,000 Cancer Operations Axed Last Year
In 2022/23, 3,947 cancer surgeries were scrapped, up from 3,662 the previous year. The numbers spell trouble for patients and their families, with delays risking lives and undermining treatment success.
- 304 cancellations due to staff illness or shortages
- 302 from lack of available beds
- 150 caused by faulty or missing equipment
Over four years, more than 13,000 cancer surgeries have been cancelled, a shocking tally that reveals persistent NHS failings.
North Bristol Trust Tops Cancellation Charts
North Bristol NHS Trust led the pack with 547 cancelled procedures, followed by Medway NHS Foundation Trust (347), University Hospital Southampton (258), and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust (254). The Liberal Democrats warn the true scale is even worse, as data covers only 56 out of 137 acute NHS trusts in England.
Lib Dems Demand Urgent Action and Legal Rights for Patients
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey slammed the government: “Every cancelled operation can have a devastating impact on patients and their families. Conservative ministers are failing to tackle the cancer care crisis.” He pointed to ageing equipment, cramped wards, and staff shortages as key barriers.
The party calls for a new legal right guaranteeing cancer patients start treatment within 62 days of urgent referral. They promise to hold ministers to account and push for sweeping reforms to end delays and improve survival rates.
This mounting crisis is a stark warning: the NHS must act fast or risk letting down thousands of cancer patients desperate for timely, life-saving care.
