there are still too many operations being cancelled at the last minute, with wide variations in performance between hospitals

John Hutton, Health Minister

These trusts will be given �75,000 to fund a full-time trouble-shooting manager.

The hospitals will have to meet specific targets for reducing cancellations and their performance will be subject to monthly reviews.

Mr Hutton said: "Today's figures show there are still too many operations being cancelled at the last minute, with wide variations in performance between hospitals.

"We are determined to tackle this.

appointed to look at the cause of the problems and to see what can be done to eliminate them.

"While chief executives will be accountable for the performance of their hospitals, we will give them the support they need to turn their performance around."

Incentive funding

Shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox described the government's response as a "panic reaction".

He said: "The government's response today is typical of their total lack of understanding about why their policies are failing.

"The real reason for the increased number of cancelled operations is the number of blocked beds, which is a result of the 49,000 care home beds lost since Labour came to office.

"It is a wonder they didn't announce the appointment of a cancellation Tsar."

Almost 80,000 operations were cancelled at short notice in NHS hospitals over the last year.

Dr Liam Fox: 'Panic' measures

This was the highest level since figures were first collected in 1994 and almost 50% up on the level when Labour came to power.

Latest figures show that between July and September last year, there were nearly 21,000 operations cancelled at the last minute.

"Trouble shooting managers will be As a proportion of overall operations carried out, the number of cancelled operations was slightly down on the previous quarter.

The new initiative to tackle canncelled operations is led by the NHS Modernisation Agency.

In addition to the �75,000 for the relevant hospitals, all trusts will receive up to �35,000 incentive funding to help them reduce the number of cancelled operations.

The project will also look at how hospitals are using operating theatres, addressing issues such as use of day surgery and better planning of operations.