New figures published today show that there were 315 cancelled urgent operations in the NHS in December, including 12 cancelled for the second or more time. 

In total there were 4,093 cancelled urgent operations in 2016, up from 3779 in 2015 and 3216 in 2014. 

The NHS situation report for the week ending 22 January has been published today, showing further evidence of the strain on the health service:

•  51 different trusts reported serious operational     pressures at some point.  
• 11 trusts registered an OPEL 4 incident –     indicating that they were unable to deliver comprehensive care, with     increased potential for patient care and safety to be compromised.
•  43 temporary diverts from one A&E to another     to provide temporary respite.
• 18     Trusts had bed occupancy over 99 per cent.

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the latest winter pressure data, said:

“Theresa May’s NHS crisis continues, and the problems are worse and more widespread than in previous years. By underfunding and overstretching the NHS, the Tories have pushed health services to the brink.

“Even urgent operations are now being cancelled in record numbers – 4,093 in 2016, up 27 per cent in just two years. The Prime Minister needs to explain what she’s going to do to fix this mess – not just pass the buck to local health providers. Cuts to social care have left patients stuck in hospitals across the country even when they are ready to leave, with knock on effects for those waiting for treatment. 

“Urgent action is required and Labour is calling for a sustainable health and social care package to be brought forward in the March Budget, so that the NHS and its patients never have to go through a winter like this again.”