Cancellation of 9,000 operations ‘a feature of hospital systems’

THE cancellation of operations — 9,000 in the first six months of the year — is a feature of hospital systems according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Responding to criticism that patients whose procedures are postponed suffer prolonged and unnecessary pain, the HSE said while every cancellation was “an inconvenience”, they had to prioritise patients in urgent need.

“Given the need for prioritisation it is occasionally necessary to postpone elective procedures. It is important to point out that all cancelled procedures are rescheduled,” the HSE said, adding: “In Ireland the level of cancellations is broadly in line with other hospital systems internationally.”