Nearly 15,000 children’s operations were scrapped last year and one youngster waited nearly three years for surgery, shocking research reveals today.
A Lib Dem analysis of Freedom of Information data found 14,628 kids’ ops were axed in 2022 - up 23% from the previous year and the highest level in the past five years.
The party said the figures highlighted the crisis gripping the NHS, with 7.2 million patients stranded on waiting lists and an estimated 133,000 vacancies in the health service.
Of the 14,628 cancelled surgeries for youngsters, almost 4,000 were due to a lack of beds, 2,894 were blamed on a lack of staff, 446 were cancelled due to equipment problems, and 1,100 were cancelled due to a lack of theatre time on the day or because lists were overbooked.
University Hospitals Birmingham cancelled more than 3,160, while 2,217 were axed at Birmingham Women and Children's NHS Trust, 1,284 at Milton Keynes University Hospital Trust and 682 at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.
Meanwhile, one youngster waited 1,083 days - nearly three years - for an “ear procedure” with the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The shocking scale of cancelled children’s operations is a badge of shame for this Conservative Government.
“Behind these figures are countless children and parents having to wait in pain and distress.”
Royal College of Nursing Director for England Patricia Marquis said that “when 15,000 children’s operations are cancelled in a single year due to a shortage of staff and beds” and some are left waiting years for an operation, “then it really does throw a stark light on the dangerous state of our NHS”.
She added: “Each cancellation will have brought stress and anxiety for children, their parents and carers across the country – as well as the nursing staff caring for them.
“Every day nurses are being put in impossible situations while they struggle to care for patients, including children facing life-threatening conditions, without enough staff.”
NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said: “Trust leaders are acutely aware that far too many children are waiting far too long for the care they need because of significant shortages of beds, staff and equipment.
“It’s really important that children and young people receive timely treatment given their developmental needs but also to prevent more care being required further down the line.”
A spokeswoman for the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust said that as of last month no patients were waiting more than 104 weeks for surgery.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Cutting waiting lists is one of the Prime Minister's five priorities.
"The NHS has already virtually eliminated waits of more than two years for treatment, while 18-month waits have been cut by over 80% since the peak in September 2021.
"We have also opened 94 new community diagnostic centres which have delivered over 3.5 million tests, checks and scans, since July 2021 - supporting patients to be diagnosed and access treatment more quickly.
"At the same time, we're growing the healthcare workforce - we're on track to deliver 50,000 more nurses into the NHS by next year and we have almost hit our target of delivering 26,000 additional primary care staff.
"The NHS will publish a long-term workforce plan shortly to support and grow the workforce."
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