Health officials have set up a task force to dramatically cut the number of operations being postponed in Lincolnshire hospitals.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust reported 861 operations postponed for non-clinical reasons in 2006/2007.
Chief executive Gary Walker said while the number was less than 1%, it was still unacceptable and caused disruption to patients' lives.
The trust aims to halve the number by the end of March 2008.
'Improving practices'
Measures are now in place to try to improve efficiency by making sure beds are available, reducing unproductive time in theatres by 50% and ensuring patients have enough notice about their operations.
Mr Walker said: "Cancelling operations causes disruption to our patients' lives and the lives of their families and it is unacceptable.
"Whilst the number of cancelled operations is about the same as the national average for the UK at 0.9%, it is still not good enough. We need to do much better than this.
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