NHS Scotland staffed and equipped for 98% of operations to be done on time despite major increases

From Public Health Scotland yesterday:

The number of planned operations has been steadily increasing since pandemic restrictions first affected provision of services in March 2020. In the 12 months to November 2023, there was a 11.3% increase in the number of planned operations compared to the previous 12 months. This compares to a 16.8% year-on-year increase when comparing year ending November 2022 to year ending November 2021. 

Of all planned operations during November 2023 in NHSScotland, 820 (3.2%) were cancelled by the hospital based on clinical reasons, 737 (2.8%) were cancelled by the patient, 582 (2.2%) were cancelled by the hospital due to capacity or non-clinical reasons, and 138 (0.5%) were cancelled due to other reasons.

https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancelled-planned-operations/cancelled-planned-operations-month-ending-30-november-2023/

Note that only those operations cancelled because of unforeseen staff absences, perhaps due to illness or a surge in demand for operating theatres, in the wake of an unforeseen emergency, can be used as a measure of performance. All other cancellations reflect decisions by medics in the interests of patients, or by patients themselves, as they are entitled to do.

98% in the context of 26 000 planned operations in a month is frankly fantastic.

3 thoughts on “NHS Scotland staffed and equipped for 98% of operations to be done on time despite major increases”

  1. Ah, but …. When you look at the graph you see peaks and troughs. That’s jist no good enough. It should be a’ peaks. But can they dae that? Naw! But Whit we want, the media and the unionists is fur it tae be a’ troughs. That lets us dae whit we aye dae – blame an carp!

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  3. All very wel, maybe I’m just unlucky. I was referred by my GP in July 2022 to have my hip assessed as I was having problems walking.
    I was seen by an orthopedic consultant in February 2023 who put me on the list for a hip replacement and said that due to the pressure the NHS is under, it would be at least a year.
    I phoned the consultants secretary in November 2023 to ask where I was on the list. I was told it would now take up to two years.
    I know the NHS is has shortages because of Brexit and staff retiring and the last thing I want to do is go private.
    Things aren’t as bright as you think

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