NHS England tells hospitals to delay operations

Thousands of patients are having their surgeries cancelled as part of the NHS’s efforts to avoid the service going into meltdown this winter.

Reflecting the concerned approach of many NHS leaders in the winter period, NHS England has advised hospitals to delay operations such as cataract removals and hip and knee replacements until mid-January. However, ‘time-critical procedures’ and cancer operations will be unaffected.

Furthermore, the health body has also instructed trusts to convert clinics and areas usually used for day-case surgery into overflow areas if they are experiencing ‘high levels of operational pressure’, so as to avoid overcrowding and relieve pressure on the system.

Bruce Keogh, the NHS’s national medical director, said: “NHS staff are working flat out to cope with seasonal pressures and ensure patients receive the best possible care. However, given the scale of the challenge, hospitals should be planning for the surge that comes in the new year by freeing up beds and staff where they can to care for our sickest patients.”