Concern At Cancelled Surgeries In Tayside
Figures reveal out of all the elective surgeries cancelled in 2013 - 11% were the result of staff shortages, equipment failure and bed unavailability
There's concern at the rise of surgeries being cancelled on a daily basis in Tayside.
Figures obtained by Tory MSP Murdo Fraser show 2955 were postponed by the health board during 2013.
11 per cent of those were because of staff shortages, equipment failure and administrative errors.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said;
“Last year nearly one surgery every day was cancelled as a result of preventable issues, like bed shortages, staff shortages and equipment failures, a rise of nearly 40% on the year before.
“Staff are being pushed to breaking point as a result of Scottish Government cuts and ultimately cracks are beginning to show. In 2012 just 14 surgeries were cancelled as a result of ward bed shortages, however, that number has jumped to 77 last year.
“The Scottish Government keeps telling us that we have never had it so good thanks to their running of the NHS, but the statistics tell a different story, A and E waiting times are up and nurse numbers are down. These trends must be reversed.
“Over the Holiday period, health experts are predicting that services will be stretched due to staff shortages and the Scottish Government must ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
“Ultimately the number of cancelled surgeries due to equipment failure, administrative errors and staff and bed shortages is only 11% but it would appear to be a growing problem that the Scottish Government and NHS Tayside must meet head on.”
An NHS spokesperson said:
“As you can expect our staff try their very best to minimise any disruption to our planned elective cases as we appreciate that any disruption can be both upsetting and inconvenient for patients and their families.
“Our services must respond to many demands every day with our priority being patient safety at all times. As an example, if an elective procedure is cancelled due to a shortage of beds, then this will be because we will be experiencing an increase in the numbers of patients being admitted into hospital for emergency and unscheduled care.
“It is worth noting that the 334 elective procedures cancelled due to things like bed shortages is 1% of the total number of electives carried out. However we know that any cancellation is upsetting and we will only cancel as a last resort.
“Any patient whose procedure is cancelled will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”