"Cancellation of scheduled surgery"

I was diagnosed with a 13mm kidney stone which was causing severe pain.

I was referred to Ipswich Hospital for immediate surgery. After a few weeks, l was finally given a date. This appointment was cancelled the night before and rescheduled for the next week. The second time, l was in the lift going to the day surgery waiting room and they rang to say it had been cancelled again. Luckily my partner hadn’t gone too far and was able to come and get me. I was upset but assured l would be done ASAP.

We live nearly an hours drive away so my partner was not happy about all the driving. The following week l finally made it into surgery. My partner went window shopping whilst waiting for me. I was a long time and after being told l would need to stay the night, my partner went home. This makes for a very long day for them. I had an uncomfortable night and they left me on ‘nil by mouth’ as they said l would need to return to the theatre in the morning.

When the doctors did their rounds they said l needed to have more laser work done but my renal tubes were too swollen and they were booking me in for 2 weeks time. The following week they rang to say l was booked in for the next week to laser the stones and get rid of them. I was in pain from the stones and the stent they had put in.

We arrived at the hospital in the morning and l waited to be called in. My partner had gone home after l told them l was definitely going in. I waited for two hours in the waiting room and was called in for the pre-op. After all the paperwork was done l was asked to wait and see the doctor. They sat down and calmly told me their laser license hadn’t come through and couldn’t do my surgery. They said they would try and get me in a couple of days later but most likely the next week.

The next day, I had a call from bookings and they said they had got me in a couple of days later. They told me they had worked hard to get me in. (Thanks). So that day in the early morning, we set off again for the hospital. At the reception of Day Surgery, l asked if l was definitely being done. They reassured me it was all go. I rang my partner and told them to go home.

After two hours l went in and again, did all the pre-op paperwork. I then changed into my hospital clothes. I again asked if everything was going ahead and was told the nurse had seen the surgeon and all was okay. I then rang my partner to say it was definitely happening. I sat in the waiting area for another three hours. All the other patients had gone through and the afternoon patients were arriving. I asked when l was going in and the lovely nurse said they were chasing up someone to come and see me.

After nearly 6 hours, a doctor finally came to me and said I probably know what they're going to say. They told me another case had come in and they needed my time slot. They said they would let me know when l would be done. They also suggested l put in a complaint, as did the nurses and reception staff. I then had to call my partner to come to pick me up. They, like me, was angry and upset.

We are only pensioners and money is tight, but we were travelling in and out of the hospital on numerous occasions which costs money for petrol. I am still left with a number of stones in my kidney which gives me pain, as does the stent. I am a retired nurse so understand that occasionally these things happen but why to let me sit there ready for surgery for five hours. Plus, l was fasting so was needing fluids as l am a diabetic. Once l changed back into my clothes and left the area, l lost it and cried all the way out. So out of five appointments, only one went ahead. Now l am waiting again and don’t know when the surgery will happen. I only hope that this doesn’t do any more damage to my kidney.

I believe l deserve some sort of compensation such as pay for our petrol. I feel bad that my partner is doing two trips there and back, twice each time, especially after being assured that everything was in order. Why is this happening?

Am l the only one, I believe surely there are other patients who are having this happen to them. Please do something. I am thankful that my condition is not life-threatening.

Thank you.