Since March 2020 a total of 401,992 surgeries have been axed, according to analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The latest figures showed that 1759 operations were cancelled in March – with this up from 1525 the previous month.

This total does not include NHS Lothian, which has been unable to provide information to Public Health Scotland on its surgeries since November 2022.

With 21,350 operations scheduled for March 2023 – up from 18,069 the previous month – health secretary Michael Matheson said the figures showed “continued progress” by the NHS.

Mr Matheson said: “Despite continuing pressures on the system, an average of 632 operations were carried out each day in March 2023 – 7% higher than the previous month, and demonstrates the continued progress of NHS Scotland’s recovery.”

But 8.2% of planned surgeries for March were cancelled either on the day of the operation or the day before, Public Health Scotland’s figures showed.