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Cancelled surgery

Posted By equuleuske44

"Cancelled surgery"

About: Whiteabbey Hospital / Day Surgery

(as a service user),

I arrived for my day surgery, checked in at reception, and was directed to sit in the waiting room, and I would be called shortly for my surgery. I sat there for almost 45 minutes after my appointment time until eventually a doctor came into the waiting room and informed myself and another patient that the list had been cancelled. They said that the doctor had cancelled the list a few days prior, and they had no idea why we hadn't been informed. I lost a day's wages, arranged childcare for this surgery, and my father rearranged his day to drive me the 30 miles to Whiteabbey. The breakdown in communication is extremely disappointing, and to now have to wait again for the surgery I need is very disheartening. The staff in Whiteabbey were seemingly totally unaware of the cancellation, too, so it doesn't seem to have been them at fault. I would sincerely hope that this doesn't happen again.

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Responses

Response from Marbeth King, Lead Nurse, Day Surgery Unit Antrim & Whiteabbey, Day Surgery Mid Ulster, Pre-op Assessment Antrim & Causeway, NHSCT last week
Marbeth King
Lead Nurse, Day Surgery Unit Antrim & Whiteabbey, Day Surgery Mid Ulster, Pre-op Assessment Antrim & Causeway,
NHSCT

Submitted on 30/06/2025 at 15:35
Published on Care Opinion at 15:35

Dear equuleuske44

My name is Marbeth King and I am Lead Nurse for Day Surgery.

I would like to apologise it was not communicated to you regarding the cancellation of the theatre list and the subsequent inconvenience that this has caused to yourself and your family.

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances and unavailability of the Consultant Surgeon this list was cancelled the previous day at short notice. There was also a breakdown in communication to the Consultant Surgeon’s supporting medical team who also arrived for the list.

We have contacted all relevant departments who are responsible for informing patients and surgical staff of any changes and made them aware of this breakdown in communication. This will hopefully prevent this situation from happening again when changes are made at short notice to an operating list.

Once again we apologise, however if you wish to contact myself further regarding this matter my details are marbeth.king@northerntrust.hscni.net / mobile no. 07584 594631.

Kind regards

Marbeth

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