Over 40 patients saw their operations cancelled in Ayrshire in the last two financial years simply due to the lack of equipment.

Freedom of Information figures obtained by Scottish Labour revealed that 43 operations had been cancelled by NHS Ayrshire and Arran due to equipment shortages, equipment failures, shortages of sterile instruments or a lack of specialist equipment.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth, said:

“When you have to undergo an operation of any kind it is already likely to be a stressful time, so to have that operation cancelled will be deeply distressing for those affected.  

“On occasions emergencies involving other patients can lead to someone’s operation being cancelled and that is hard to control. However, when a cancellation is due to our hospitals not having the right equipment that is extremely worrying.

“We need to see our NHS being properly funded by the Government to ensure we have not only the staff needed to deliver the services we need, but the equipment to do their job”