One in 10 Planned NHS Operations in England Cancelled with Less Than 24 Hours’ Notice

A new study reveals that around 10% of elective surgeries face last-minute cancellations, with nearly 40% potentially avoidable through better patient preparation.

NHS patients across England face a one in 10 chance of having their planned operation cancelled at the last minute. A major study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia found that around 10% of elective surgeries were cancelled within 24 hours or postponed due to inadequate patient preparation.

The research examined data from 91 NHS trusts during one week in November 2024. Researchers analysed 22,573 preoperative assessments and 19,905 planned procedures across 78 trusts, plus 2,190 postponements across all 91 participating trusts.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The study revealed that 9% of preoperative assessments led to postponements. Patients mainly needed further tests, anaesthetic reviews, or additional medical checks before surgery could proceed.

But the most striking finding was that 37.3% of last-minute cancellations could have been avoided. These cases involved issues that could have been identified and resolved three to five days before the scheduled surgery date.

The top reasons for cancellations were acute medical conditions developing in patients, operating list overruns, and patients failing to attend their appointments.

Why This Matters Now

These cancellations add pressure to already stretched NHS waiting lists. The research highlights failures in perioperative care that contribute to persistent delays across the health service.

Historical NHS England data shows last-minute non-clinical cancellations have typically run at around 1% since the early 2000s. However, post-COVID trends show increases in patients not treated within the standard 28-day window after cancellation.

Experts are urging the NHS to prioritise improvements in perioperative care. Without systemic changes to patient preparation and theatre efficiency, waiting lists risk remaining unacceptably high.

The Patient Experience

Last-minute cancellations cause significant distress for patients and their families. People take time off work, arrange childcare, and prepare mentally for surgery – only to have procedures cancelled hours beforehand.

The wasted time extends beyond individual patients. Theatre slots, staff time, and hospital resources all go unused when operations are cancelled at short notice.

Key Takeaways

Around 10% of planned NHS operations in England are cancelled within 24 hours

37.3% of these last-minute cancellations could be avoided with better preparation

Main causes include acute medical conditions, list overruns, and patient non-attendance

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent patients receiving care through NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board face similar pressures, with local trusts like East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust contributing to these national figures. Last-minute cancellations above all affect waiting times for non-urgent procedures in areas like orthopaedics and ophthalmology across the county. Patients can help reduce avoidable cancellations by attending preoperative assessments promptly, reporting any health changes as soon as they occur, and following all pre-surgery instructions carefully – small steps that could help protect your surgery date and reduce delays for fellow Kent residents.

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Published: 27 April 2026

Source: @bmj_latest on X. This article has been researched and rewritten with editorial balance by Kent Local News.