NHS operations cancelled in England due to staff shortages double in three years

At least a third of cancelled operations were those deemed urgent, at least 2,500 for cancer patients and 8,000 on children. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The number of operations cancelled by the NHS in England because of staff shortages may have doubled in three years, with an estimated 30,000 not proceeding because no staff were available to perform them.

At least a third of cancelled operations were those that were deemed urgent, according to the analysis by Labour. It suggested at least 2,500 cancelled operations for cancer patients and 8,000 on children.