"Great surgical ward/traumatic admission"

On August 9 2021 I arrived at King George for a colonectomy, following a diagnosis of a second bowel cancer. What a traumatic morning.

First I was told that there had been a problem with my pre-assessment at Tulip Ward the previous week and that surgery wouldn't therefore be able to take place. This was the first that I had heard of it (I still don't know what the issue was) and so I had gone ahead with the unpleasant bowel preparation for surgery over the weekend. It was then decided that surgery could proceed.

Soon afterwards, I was told that it couldn't - apparently there was building work going on in the larger theatre that was needed for my operation. I have no idea how my surgery was then able to go ahead but obviously I'm relieved that it was. My treatment once on the ward was excellent.

I’m writing in the hope that whatever glitches occurred - no communication between Tulip pre-assessment, the builders and the surgical team - won't happen to anyone else. It's not fair on the patient, or the staff who have to be the bearers of distressing news and deal with the fallout.

I emailed this information to PALS on 25/8/21 but have not received a reply.