Cancelled operations a ‘grim norm’

Cancelling hundreds of operations a month because hospitals cannot cope has become a “grim norm”, an MSP has said.

The NHS Scotland Information Services Division figures indicate 571 (2.1 per cent) planned operations were cancelled by hospitals in February due to a capacity or non-clinical reason.

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “Hundreds of cancelled operations because our hospitals can’t cope should be unacceptable but it has become the grim norm under this SNP government.

“Behind these cancelled operations are worried people, often waiting in pain.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said boards ensure cancellations are kept to a minimum, and said: “The decision to cancel any procedure is never taken lightly.

“Health boards ensure that cancellations are kept to a minimum and that any cancelled operation is rescheduled as soon as possible.”