TODAY’S page eight story about cancelled operations will come as little surprise to many of our readers.

Over the last few months we have had numerous calls from patients who have been left frustrated at cancellations.

It is just another indicator of the chronic lack of funding for our overstretched health service.

The reasons given for the cancellations include staff sickness, having to deal with more urgent cases coming in and bed shortages.

Whatever the reason it almost always comes back to funding.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, called off the most between October and March at 289.

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust was next with 184 while at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust the number of operations cancelled was 153.

The unions we spoke to said the numbers came as no surprise.

The GMB said simply: “The NHS just can’t cope.”

The upcoming election has been billed as being all about Brexit and Theresa May securing her mandate for negotiations.

But if our leaders want our vote then perhaps they should focus more on the NHS.

We all care deeply for the service and when it runs well it is something to be truly proud of.

But it needs the necessary investment.

Healthcare is not what it was in the 1950s when the NHS was formed. Our leaders need to better recognise the challenges it faces. Only then can they hope to run a service fit for the 21st century.