UK heatwaves force cancellation of over a thousand hospital surgeries

An investigation using freedom-of-information requests to 140 NHS trusts found that record-breaking heat in May and June led to more than 1,000 operations being cancelled, including at least 10 emergency procedures. The cancellations spanned orthopaedic, heart, eye and skin cancer surgeries, with the highest numbers in the hottest regions. Experts note that high temperatures can disrupt theatre ventilation and raise infection risks, and the true figure is likely higher because many hospitals do not routinely track heat-related cancellations.

The investigation reached out to 140 NHS trusts, yet only 59 supplied specific heat-related cancellation figures. Many others acknowledged they do not routinely log such disruptions, indicating the reported total is a conservative baseline. Crawley Hospital in Surrey and Sussex recorded the highest single count, with temperatures there approaching 36C.

Among the postponed procedures were 167 orthopaedic operations and at least 10 emergency surgeries for life-threatening conditions. For trusts providing complete cancellation records, heat accounted for roughly 7% of all postponed operations, compounding existing pressures from staff shortages and limited bed availability.