Operations cancelled in Norfolk and Suffolk due to bed and staff shortages

Posted 04/01/2013

Three hospitals in the East Anglia region have released figures to confirm that a number of operations are being cancelled for ‘non-clinical’ reasons which can include a lack of beds, insufficient staff numbers, or problems with hospital equipment or administration. In the first nine months of 2012, four hospitals within the region called off 1,312 operations for non-clinical reasons.

Other factors such as increased emergency admissions during the winter months also play a large part in cancellations, especially where hospitals are running at a very high occupancy rate.

Sharon Allison, a clinical negligence lawyer at Ashtons Legal solicitors says: “It is concerning that such a number of procedures are being cancelled due to bed and staff shortages. What is not known from these figures are the type of procedures being cancelled or what impact the delay in surgical treatment will have not only on the patient but also on continuing NHS support.It is clearly in the best interests of the patient to have surgical procedures in a timely fashion, however hospitals are having a very hard job providing appropriate service levels with ever decreasing funds”.

If you have a possible clinical negligence claim as a result of delay or inappropriate treatment, please contact our medical injury team on 01842 752401.