§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled by the NHS in Lancashire within one month of the supposed date of the operation in each year since 1997. [48599]
§ Jacqui SmithThe available information is shown in the table.
We recognise and fully understand the distress that cancellations can cause for patients and their families. This is reflected by the fact that from the end of this month, any patient who has their operation cancelled by the hospital on the day it is due to happen will be guaranteed treatment within 28 days, or else the hospital will have to fund their treatment at the time and place of their choice.
The NHS is carrying out more operations than ever before—up by more than half a million between 1996–97 and 2000–01. But cancellations are a long term problem which can only be resolved through the investment and reform that is now taking place in the NHS.