YORK Hospital cancelled 158 operations in the first two months of the year as it struggled with winter pressures.

From Christmas onwards, the hospital was inundated with high numbers of seriously ill and elderly patients, leading to a bed shortage.

During January and February, 158 non-emergency operations at York Hospital were cancelled up to seven days prior to surgery due to bed shortages – representing four per cent of all elective admissions. Of these, 83 were cancelled on the day.

York Press:

A spokesperson for the hospital said: “Due to winter pressures the Trust sometimes has to cancel planned operations because beds are needed to accommodate the higher numbers of acutely ill and often elderly patients who are admitted.

This year our Emergency Departments have seen unprecedented attendances and hospital admissions, which is reflective of the national picture.

“Any cancellation of a scheduled operation is a matter of regret, whatever the reason.

“We do appreciate the lengths people go to when they make arrangements to come into hospital and we don’t take these decisions lightly, however these are based on clinical priorities.”

A total of 73 of these operations were orthopaedic, including operations such as knee and hip replacements. All elective orthopaedic operations resumed in full from the beginning of March.

Cancelled operations would be rescheduled, the trust said.

Last month, the Royal College of Surgeons and NHS Providers released a statement expressing concern that bed shortages are leading to staff, including surgeons, left kicking their heels, waiting for beds to come available so they can operate.

They said: “Compared to most European countries the NHS is underfunded.

“It has been assumed this is helping to drive productivity but now, at times, it is clear underfunding in our health service is creating more inefficiency... rising numbers of patients have to suffer the anxiety of having their planned operations cancelled without notice on the day.

“At a time when the NHS is being told to make the most of its resources this is a shocking waste.”