Nurses’ strike will cause 15,000 operations to be cancelled

Up to 15,000 operations are set to be cancelled next week because of the first national strike by nurses, The Telegraph can disclose.

NHS trusts have been instructed to ensure affected patients are informed by Tuesday, with later cancellations only occurring in exceptional circumstances.

Hospitals have been told to reschedule appointments as soon as possible. However, the 7.2 million people on waiting lists in England include more than 400,000 who have already waited a year.

Analysis by the Telegraph suggests that up to 15,000 operations such as hip and knee replacements, cataracts, hernia repairs and cardiac procedures could be postponed.

More than 100,000 outpatient appointments may also be affected.  

With up to 100,000 nurses due to take part in strikes at 76 hospitals and NHS organisations this week, health chiefs fear unprecedented pressures on emergency services.

Nurses’ strike will cause 15,000 operations to be cancelled