Number of urgent operations cancelled in England hits record high

Figures show 446 urgent operations cancelled in month of November

Figures are highest since records began (file photo) (Getty)

The number of urgent operations cancelled by the NHS hit record numbers in November.

Figures from NHS England show 446 urgent operations were cancelled during the month, almost double the level from the same period last year.

The November figures also represented a jump from the previous month where 357 urgent operations were called off.

Former health minister Norman Lamb blamed the Government for the cancellations and said it demonstrates the lack of funding being provided for the NHS and social care.

“Now patients are paying the price for the government’s short-sightedness, with record levels of cancelled operations and hospitals being stretched to breaking point,” Mr Lamb said, according to the Guardian.

“Waiting for an operation is stressful enough even when everything goes smoothly. To be told that your operation has been delayed heaps even more strain on patients.”

Labour’s health spokesman, Jonathan Ashworth, said the issue was serious and waiting lists would continue to rise.

“Given the urgent nature of these operations, the consequences of delays could be very serious indeed. Theresa May has no interest in the NHS and as she continues to starve it of the resources it needs, the result is we are likely to see waiting lists across the board continue to rise,” Mr Ashworth told the Guardian.