"Why do I need to be at the hospital 8hours before an operation?"

I had an appointment at QMC on the 08/01/09 at 10.00am for a hysterectomy. I got a bed around 3pm that afternoon and got ready to go down to theatre at 4.30pm. The nurse came to tell me that the operation had been cancelled because of an emergency. I felt nervous about this and on the Saturday night I had a panic attack. My consultant's secretary phoned on the Monday and made an appointment for the operation on the 15/01/09. She didn't know that I needed a urine sample bottle or a strict body wash. She did sort out body wash from the clinic. I needed to be at ward EC30 for 8.15am. They told me they were struggling for beds. I was told because my operation was cancelled last week I would more than likely have my operation. i sat and waited to go down to theatre until 4.10pm. If I go to an airport I have to be there two hours before a flight, so why do I need to be at the hospital eight hours before an operation? I don't think this is fair on patients or the nursing staff. Everything else went well and I have been treated well. Staff have been great. Just please sort out the waiting time.