There is no doubt the NHS has been facing financial crunch since a long time and now it is being predicted that there are fair chances of doctors being forced to use old equipments. It has been clearly said by surgeons that there is dire need of financial investment in surgical techniques and technology, which if not made at right time, can make things a lot worst for patients.

With the target of £20 billion of efficiency savings before 2015, lingering over the minds of NHS bosses, it is believed that risk associated with outdated equipments is being underestimated, says the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ALSGBI), while claiming that there has been a thorough audit done on theatre equipment used in keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery, which in the end unveiled the real status.

The audit report showed that mere 15% of keyhole surgery theatres could manage to achieve the set targets of providing safe equipment. Apparently, it was also told that as many as 22%of hospitals are bereft of high-definition imaging screens which are used by surgeons.

"We hope the result of this audit encourages surgeons and management to discuss upgrading their equipment to improve standards and to reassure patients that the best service is being provided”, said ALSGBI President Professor Timothy Rockall.