Freedom of Information figures obtained by Scottish Labour revealed that 66 operations had been cancelled between 2017-19 by NHS Dumfries and Galloway due to equipment shortages, equipment failures, shortages of sterile instruments or a lack of specialist equipment.
Commenting, 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.
