Cancelled operations show need for emergency funding - Farron

Data released today showing a 14% increase in the number of last-minute cancelled operations compared to a year ago is further evidence of the mounting pressure on local hospitals, according to South Lakes MP Tim Farron. Tim is calling for the government to provide emergency funding to support hospitals.

The NHS data shows that between October to December 2016 there were 121 last-minute cancelled operations, compared to 106 for the equivalent period the year before. In total, there were 494 cancelled operations in 2016. The data shows the number of operations cancelled for non-clinical reasons on the day the patient was due to arrive in hospital.

The data is for operations at hospitals run by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which includes the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, the Westmorland General Hospital and the Furness General Hospital.

Tim said: "It is growing increasingly clear that our NHS desperately needs more cash. Hardworking staff are doing their best to look after patients, but the bottom line is that health services are stretched to capacity. This data shows that patients are having operations cancelled at the last minute, because local hospitals can't cope.

"Our NHS urgently needs an emergency cash injection to deal with the current crisis. In the longer run, the Lib Dems are pushing for a cross-party commission on the future of health funding. If we need to put taxes up to keep our NHS afloat, then we should be prepared to do so."