700 Midlands hospital ops axed in three months

Around 700 operations were cancelled at the last minute at Midland hospitals in just three months, new figures reveal today.

The number of procedures called off for non-clinical reasons shot up by more than 17 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Staff shortages, a lack of beds and overbooked operating theatres have been blamed for the situation, described by a patients' group today as "seriously wrong".

An outbreak of Norovirus also led to procedures being re-scheduled.

Dudley Group of Hospitals racked up the highest number of cancellations in the Black Country, with 168 between April and June 2010. All of the patients affected were treated within 28 days of the cancellation.

The Dudley hospital trust was closely followed by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, which had 157 operations called off during the same quarter.

Eighty-three procedures were cancelled at Wolverhampton's New Cross and 64 at Walsall Manor.

Meanwhile Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust had 126 operations called off and Mid Staffordshire Hospitals Trust had 92. Mid Staffordshire blamed an outbreak of Norovirus in April, resulting in limited beds.

The total of 687 for the six hospital trusts compared to 586 between April and June 2009 - a rise of 17.7 per cent.

John Mellor, chairman of Link, which represents patients in Wolverhampton, said today: "Clearly there is something seriously wrong.

"The situation needs to be reviewed frequently to make sure it does not get worse. Anyone who has had an operation cancelled should contact Link."

Samantha Turner, of The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust, said: "The main reason behind operation cancellations during the first quarter was no beds."

Dudley of Group of Hospitals was unable to provide reasons for the problems.

By Heather Large