HEALTH Secretary Haslemere MP Jeremy Hunt issued an apology following the NHS England instruction on Tuesday night to all hospitals to cancel routine operations until at least February.

In a drastic step to try to free up hospital staff and beds, NHS England urged hospitals to defer day-case procedures and routine outpatient appointments until January 31.

Officials have estimated that this could lead to up to 55,000 deferred operations. Labour had accused the Minister of “doing a Grayling” by refusing to appear on TV and radio to defend the government.

The transport secretary, was condemned for having “gone into hiding” after he visited Qatar on Tuesday, when millions of Britons faced inflation-busting rail rises.

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday morning, Mr Hunt said: “I want to apologise for the fact we have had regrettably to postpone a number of operations. We are trying to do it differently this year. Last year we had to cancel a lot of operations at the very last minute.

“People got a call the day before to say their operation wasn’t going ahead. That is obviously very undesirable.”

“This year, we want to do it in a more planned way. Hopefully the total number of cancelled operations won’t be significantly higher than last year.

“But we are dealing with an increase in flu and respiratory ailments that is creating additional pressures.”

Responding to the emergency instructions, a Royal Surrey County Hospital spokesman said: “As part of our planning for winter, we have already reduced our level of planned operations over the peak December to January periods to free up capacity to support emergency patients.

“But we are continuing surgery for our clinically urgent, such as cancer, patients. Patients are always notified individually if their operation is cancelled for any reason, they don’t need to contact the hospital.

“Like all other NHS services across the South East, Royal Surrey has seen significant increases in demand, but that’s not unusual for this time to year.

“For example, the number of respiratory illnesses increase, which results in more emergency admissions and puts pressure on the NHS.

“Despite this, we are still making sure that everyone who needs urgent medical treatment is receiving it.

“Our staff have been working exceptionally hard to make sure people get seen and treated, and we are particularly grateful to those who worked over Christmas and new year.

“People can also help us by not calling 999 or turning up at A&E unless their situation is an emergency.

“Ambulance services and our A&E departments are still under pressure to please don’t use these services unless you really have to.”