Desperate hospitals cancel cancer operations as they struggle to cope with NHS crisis
Under-pressure hospitals are being plagued by bed and staff shortages
CANCER operations are being cancelled as the winter crisis tightens its grip on the NHS, it was revealed yesterday.
Hospitals have seen a sharp rise in postponed surgery in the past fortnight as they struggle to cope with bed and staff shortages.
Clare Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said the days when cancer ops would be protected as a priority were gone.
She said: “Historically, they have been protected due to the urgent nature.
“However, feedback from our members suggests that since the start of January a large number of hospitals across the UK are now cancelling cancer surgery.
“This will be extremely worrying to patients and their families.
“It is heartbreaking for a surgeon to have to explain to a patient who has cancer that their operation has had to be cancelled as there are no beds available.
“It is increasingly clear that no part of the system and no patient is immune from the pressure the NHS is currently experiencing.”
Cancer patient Andy Claridge had his radical robotic prostatectomy cancelled by Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust last week.
He said: “I found out in an email.
“I didn’t even get a phone call.
“My consultant said cancelling cancer operations was unprecedented.
I found out in an email. I didn’t even get a phone call
“Hearing this news knocked me sideways.
“I had prepared mentally for surgery and I felt completely defeated, like someone had zapped me of energy.
“I felt so let down.”
Jonathan Ashworth, shadow health secretary, blamed ministers.
RELATED STORIES
He said: “This is shocking and brings into sharp focus the reality of how the NHS crisis is now impacting patient care.
“I cannot imagine the intolerable emotional strain cancelling these operations must place on cancer sufferers.
“It’s shameful this is happening in Theresa May’s Britain.”
Meanwhile, a poll revealed most people believe the country’s bloated foreign aid budget should be slashed to give extra billions to the cash-strapped NHS.
An overwhelming 78 per cent want funds diverted from the £12.4bn sent overseas.
And 80 per cent think NHS patients should have to show ID to prove they are eligible for free healthcare.
A similar number back £50 fines for drunks who clog up A&E services.
And 59 per cent want GP surgeries to be forced to open at evenings and weekends - backing PM Theresa May’s calls for a seven-day doctor service.
In the first week of the year, almost 18,500 patients had to wait on A&E trolleys due to a bed shortage.
Tory MP Philip Davies said: “The public has a damn sight more common sense than most Westminster politicians do.
“It’s ridiculous we are even having this debate because it is so blindingly obvious we should be cutting the overseas aid budget.
“Lots of it is wasted, and it is unaffordable.
“Vulnerable, elderly and disabled people at home should be our top priority.”