Fourfold Increase in Number of Cancelled Operations at the Norfolk & Norwich

8.26.01pm GMT Fri 5th Mar 2004

Figures revealed to Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb confirm that the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is over occupied, resulting in cancelled operations and longer waiting times for patients.

Waiting times are increasing at the N&N

Mr Lamb said: "I am alarmed at the extent of this problem revealed in these figures. The hospital was on 'red alert' through nearly all of October and November last year, which has clearly had a serious effect on the number of cancelled operations and the waiting time for patients. The occupancy figures in Medical Specialties was over 90% in every month between June and November except for August. The extent of the over occupation is severely impacting on the overall performance of the hospital."

The Chief Executive of the Norfolk and Norwich reports that the hospital carried out some research to respond to concerns raised by Mr Lamb late last year. The research reveals a number of disturbing trends:

• The average rate of medical specialties bed occupation between June - November 2003 was 91.9%.

• In October 2003, the hospital was on red alert for 25 nights, and in November 2003 21 nights

• The number of cancelled operations in 2002/03 was 662. This compares to 150 for 2000/01 - more than a fourfold increase! Figures for 2003/04 show a slight improvement, but still dramatically higher than previous years.