Nearly 40% of Hospital Cancellations Could Be Avoided, Researchers Find

Nearly 40% of cancelled operations in England could be avoided if issues were identified earlier, according to a study of elective surgery across 91 NHS trusts.

Researchers found that about one in 10 operations are cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice or postponed, based on data collected over seven days in November 2024.

The study, conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Central London patient safety research collaboration, NHS England, University College London and the Royal College of Anaesthetists, revealed that 10% of operations were cancelled the day before the planned surgery date, while 9% were postponed when patients attended their pre-operative appointment.

If these findings were replicated nationally, they would equate to approximately 300,000 cancellations or postponements across England’s elective surgery system.

The most common causes of cancellations were medical reasons, patients not attending appointments, operating lists overrunning, and emergency admissions taking priority.

However, in 37.3% of cases, researchers calculated that had these issues been identified as little as three to five days earlier, the operation could either have gone ahead or another patient could have been offered the surgery slot.

This suggests that nearly 40% of last-minute cancellations and postponements could potentially be avoided through earlier detection and intervention.

The study highlights systemic challenges in hospital scheduling and patient communication that contribute to wasted operating theatre time and delays in patient care.

As of the end of February 2026, just over 6 million patients were waiting for treatment in the NHS, underscoring the pressure on elective services.

The authors conclude that improving pre-operative assessment processes and identifying potential problems earlier in the pathway could significantly reduce avoidable cancellations and make better use of limited surgical capacity.