Hospital appointments: Last minute cancellation widens health inequalities, watchdog warns

Repeated or last minute cancellations of planned NHS appointments are having a catastrophic effect on patients’ health and are widening health inequalities, Healthwatch England has warned.1The watchdog said that last minute cancellations can lead to patients getting sicker and can have severe effects on their mental health. Some groups seem to be disproportionately affected by cancellations, including people who are disabled, neurodiverse, on lower incomes, or from ethnic minority groups.In a report Healthwatch England said that industrial action was one of the many factors affecting cancellations. The report came a day after junior doctors in England announced a fresh round of strikes in August.2The waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record number of nearly 7.5 million people in May 2023. NHS data show that in 2022-23 a total of 77 266 operations were cancelled at the last minute for people waiting for pre-planned hospital care.3 Last minute is…
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