Nearly 200 operations were cancelled at North Devon District Hospital last year, it has been revealed.
Between January 2013 and December 2013, the hospital cancelled 193 operations for non-clinical reasons.
It was three fewer cancellations than in 2012, when the hospital cancelled 196 operations.
The figures are defined by the number of operations cancelled by the hospital at the last minute for non-clinical reasons.
It means Northern Devon Healthcare Trust cancelled the operations either on the day the patient was due to arrive, after the patient had arrived in hospital or on the day of the operation or surgery.
New statistics released by the NHS show the breakdown of the number of cancelled operations at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple last year.
Between January and March, the hospital cancelled 56 operations. Between April and June, it cancelled 43, and between July and September it cancelled 54.
In the last quarter, between October and December, the hospital cancelled 40 operations.
Dr Alison Diamond, medical director, said: “We do our utmost to avoid cancelling operations at late notice as we know the frustration and distress it can cause.
“Sometimes it is unavoidable, for example if more patients than normal come in as emergencies or if other patients’ surgery is not as straightforward as anticipated and takes longer than planned.
“If we have to cancel an operation, we always offer the patient an alternative appointment as soon as possible and within 28 days.
“While the number of cancelled operations reduced last year, we would always prefer the figure to be lower.”
Source North Devon Journal
