Large number of hospitals cancelling cancer ops - Royal College of Surgeons

Patients with cancer are having their operations cancelled by hospitals with increasing regularity by a crisis-hit NHS, the president of the Royal College of Surgeons has revealed.

Clare Marx said cancer surgery was no longer protected and "a large number" of hospitals had been cancelling operations since the beginning of the year.

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She told the Observer: "Historically, they have been protected due to their urgent nature.

"However, feedback from our members suggests that since the start of January, a large number of hospitals across the UK are now cancelling cancer surgery.

"It is increasingly clear that no part of the system and no patient is immune from the pressure the NHS is experiencing."

An investigation by the Observer revealed that appointments for cancer operations began to be cancelled in December and that trend has accelerated this year.

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Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust has this month had to cancel bookings for some complex cancer operations, as well as more straightforward cases, the paper said.

Its doctors say that lack of post-operation intensive care beds has forced them to postpone surgery, the paper added.

Conservative MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the health select committee, accused the Government of "pretty dismal stuff" by "scapegoating" GPs for the pressures, after Theresa May expressed frustration at surgeries' opening hours.

Among the issues, Dr Wollaston blamed a "financial squeeze" during the last parliament while demand increased.

"Public & NHS staff deserved better than scapegoating, smoke & mirrors. Needs to start with honest discussion of the background pressures," the MP for Totnes tweeted.