Hospital bucks the national trend as fewer operations are cancelled

Fewer patients in South Tyneside had their operations cancelled at the last minute last year - but hospital chiefs say they still want to improve.

- by Tom Patterson

The drop in cancellations bucks the national trend, which saw the number of missed procedures hit a record high.

NHS England figures show South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust-which runs South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital - cancelled 472 elective operations out of almost 30,000 at the last minute for nonclinical reasons in the year to June.

This was down from 570 the previous year and accounted for around 1.5% of planned operations.

That made the Trust the fourth best in England for making sure people get their operation quickly and within 18 weeks of referral.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "We appreciate waiting for an operation is an anxious time for our patients and we do not underestimate the impact any delays have on them and their loved ones.