Ops fall victim to winter problems
Hundreds cancelled in first three months of year
More than 400 operations were cancelled by NHS Forth Valley in the first three months of the year.
The cancellations coincided with some of the worst weather conditions witnessed across the area in a number of years.
A total of 435 planned operations failed to take place between January and March.
A total of 184 of those were classed as being for capacity issues or non–clinical reasons.
A total of 1,380 operations were cancelled by the health board between April 2017 to March 2018 – with 476 of these for capacity or other non–clinical reasons.
Cancellations are divided into three categories – cancellations by patients, cancellations made by the hospital due to a clinical decision and cancellations made by the hospital due to capacity issues or for other non-clinical reasons.
Capacity issues and non– clinical reasons also includes cancellations due to unforeseen emergency operations and bad weather.
NHS Forth Valley admitted there had been an increase in cancellations in recent months as a result of the harsh winter weather seen across Stirling area as well as an increase in the number of emergency incidents.
A spokesperson added: “Most operations are cancelled by the patient or for clinical reasons. In the last few months we have had to postpone a number of planned procedures but this was mainly due to the severe weather and an increase in more urgent emergency and trauma cases. Every effort is made to reschedule cancelled operations as soon as possible.”
In March this year, 200 of 1133 scheduled elective operations were cancelled, of which 122 were for capacity or non–clinical reasons. In February, of 947 scheduled operations, there were 102 cancellations – of which just 21 were for capacity or non– clinical reasons.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP, Alexander Stewart blamed staff shortages for the latest figures. He said: “This just goes to highlight the effect on patients of the widespread staffing crisis, not just within NHS Forth Valley but across our NHS as a whole, with over 2,500 vacant nursing and midwifery posts and over 400 vacant consultant posts across Scotland.
“The Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for improved workforce planning in order to increase the number of doctors and nurses. This is the direct consequence of the SNP Scottish Government’s inability to ensure our NHS is properly staffed with enough doctors and nurses. It’s clear to everyone that the SNP has been underfunding our NHS for years and now patients are paying the price.”
Stirling MSP, Bruce Crawford, hit back at the staff shortage claims, saying: “NHS Forth Valley carried out more than 11,000 operations in the past year. Only 3.8 per cent of planned operations were cancelled for non–clinical or capacity reasons.
“In the past few months, these types of cancellations were mainly due to severe weather and an increase in emergency cases taking priority. I was in regular contact with NHS Forth Valley during this time and I know that this was a very challenging period – yet those working to deliver the service tackled these challenges head on with a great degree of dedication and professionalism.”