The study, led by researchers at the University of Bristol's National Institute for Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, and sponsored by North Bristol NHS Trust, found 9,403 cancelled operations at six hospitals over five years.
A quarter of the cancellations were less than 24 hours before surgery, and nearly one third were within 2 to14 days, with lack of available hospital beds and patients being unfit for surgery the main causes.
The report said with the right medical care while people wait for their operation, many patients could be supported to be medically fit for surgery and cancellations avoided. It highlighted the urgent need for efficiency programmes in the NHS and UK-wide healthcare planning for patients on waiting lists, to prevent cancellations.
Dr Mark Eveleigh, consultant anaesthetist at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Cancelled operations aren't just about wasted resources. Each cancellation statistic represents a patient who has often uprooted their entire life to get into hospital, followed the preparation advice to the letter, arranged transport and found someone to look after loved ones, frequently at great cost to themselves.'
Reaction
Health minister Karin Smyth said: ‘Each cancellation represents not just a statistic, but someone's quality of life being put on hold, which is unacceptable.
‘That is why we are investing in our NHS to reduce cancellations, including by shortening hospital stays to free up beds, building new surgical hubs and giving patients more control over their appointments through tools like the NHS App. When patients are in control of when their treatment takes place and informed about how to be ready for surgery, rather than the "like it or lump it" approach of the NHS in the past, they are far less likely to cancel last minute — better for them and better for the NHS.
‘We are also rolling out the NHS Federated Data Platform to 85% of acute trusts by March 2026, which will give frontline staff a complete picture of their operational systems in one place, helping them plan staffing and resources more efficiently to meet demand.
‘We know there's more to do, but our investment and modernisation agenda is building an NHS fit for the future.'
An NHS spokesperson said: ‘The number of knee replacements being carried out has risen since the period of this study by nearly a third, with the NHS opening 123 surgical hubs with dedicated beds and staffing to carry out more procedures, cut waiting times for patients and drive efficiencies.
‘But we recognise there is further to go to prevent cancellations, which we know are very frustrating for patients and families. NHS teams are taking further steps including ensuring patients are fit for surgery by offering personalised support to help lose weight, stop smoking and manage their mental health as well as by getting patients home on the same day as their operation which frees up beds.'
