"Laser Machine Broken!"

I recently attended Ward 25, Eye Clinic, at Ninewells for laser treatment on both eyes due to diabetic retinopathy.  

A lovely nurse came and put 2 sets of drops in my eyes; one to dilate my eyes and one to numb.

After 40 minutes waiting my name was called and a senior registrar  explained that the laser machine was broken and therefore my laser treatment could not be carried out.  He took me into a consulting room and examined my eyes and agreed that I have retinopathy in both and require laser ASAP.  

My husband and I travelled from St Andrews to the clinic, I took a day off work and have been anxious, hardly slept last night.  My husband also took time off work to drive me to the clinic.

I know things happen and appreciate this.  However, I feel there is no adequate process in place here.  

The clinic list should be checked the day before and if equipment is required check this is working.  If not inform the patient not to come.  The registers time was also wasted.

Why put drops in my eyes before first checking the procedure was going ahead?  Waste of nurse's time and medication and my eyes will now be blurred for most of the day.  This is a waste of my time and not treating me fairly.

I am really annoyed that given the pressures on the NHSs  and the waiting times that this has been allowed to happen.

Also the laser machine is over 20 years old, is this the best machine to treat me?  It now requires to be fixed and I need to wait for another appointment to be sent.  

To me, this is not acceptable.  So if I get an appointment the same thing could happen again.  I have retinopathy which needs treatment ASAP.