"Having surgery cancelled"

My close friend has just had her surgery cancelled. After spending weeks waiting for the date, and meticulously planning cover at work and childcare, the surgery was cancelled. I sat with my friend in the hospital as the hours went by. Eventually after no communication, a nurse walked to my friend bedside. The nurses body language was enough to confirm what we had been suspecting. After weeks of preparation, blood tests, appointments, arranging for relatives to help out, and hours of starving and anxiety, my friend was informed. Naturally this was very inconvenient and my friend was extremely upset. We both work for the NHS, and are well aware of the issues experienced on a daily basis.

Unfortunately there is no happy ending. My friend was told that her Consultant would come and see her, sadly they sent their Registrar, who was unable to give a definite date for surgery. This surgery was essential for my friends health and well-being. For the last 20 year she has dedicated herself to the NHS from a nurse to senior manager. Although I do believe that all patients should be treated the same, I have been left feeling disappointed and very saddened that my friend has had to experience this. I have always been a champion of the NHS, but now feel very let down, by my own establishment. This whole experience has had a detrimental effect upon my friend and her family.