Senior NHS surgeons are performing complex surgical procedures in hospital corridors and being forced to cancel critical cancer operations due to overwhelming patient backlogs and severe bed shortages, The Independent can reveal.
In a damning assessment of England's healthcare crisis, consultant surgeons have described the "heartbreaking" reality of operating on patients in non-clinical areas as hospitals struggle to cope with record waiting lists.
'Unprecedented Pressure' on Surgical Teams
One leading surgeon reported performing a life-saving bowel operation in a corridor because no theatre or recovery space was available. "We had to do what was necessary to save the patient's life, but this is not how modern healthcare should be delivered," the consultant stated anonymously.
The revelations come as official figures show nearly 7.5 million people waiting for hospital treatment in England, with thousands facing dangerous delays for urgent cancer care and other time-sensitive procedures.
Cancelled Cancer Surgeries Becoming Routine
Multiple cancer specialists confirmed they are regularly cancelling tumour removal surgeries due to lack of intensive care beds and staff shortages. One oncological surgeon described the situation as "the worst I've seen in 20 years of practice."
Patients scheduled for complex cancer operations are being told at the last minute that their procedures cannot go ahead, potentially compromising their chances of survival.
NICE Guidelines Ignored Due to System Overload
The crisis has become so severe that hospitals are routinely breaching National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, which recommend prompt treatment for various conditions.
Surgeons report being unable to meet these standards due to:
- Critical bed shortages across NHS trusts
- Insufficient theatre space and equipment
- Chronic staffing deficits
- Overflowing emergency departments
Call for Government Action
Medical leaders are demanding urgent intervention from health secretary and NHS England to address what they describe as a "systemic collapse" in surgical services.
"When highly skilled surgeons are operating in corridors and cancelling cancer operations, we've crossed a red line in patient safety," said a representative from the Royal College of Surgeons.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the pressures but maintains that reducing waiting lists remains a "top priority" for the government.
