"My visit to papworth for expected heart operation"

In AUGUST I submitted a review to you concerning treatment from my GP on breathing problems, eventually was referred to Papworth Hospital where I thought the problem would be sorted. After two visits to the Varrier jones clinic I finally received an appointment to attend the Cardiac day ward where I assumed I was to undergo my operation.

I am now absolutely fuming and disgusted with the treatment I received. After a lengthy stressful car journey we arrived where I was hastily put through my pre operation procedure and was told my operation would take place at either 11:00 12:00 or 1:00 pm at the latest, only to sit for 6 hours before being told they are cancelling the surgery today!

Logic says you would know at 3 pm that you are not going to start a 4-5 operation (which I have been told it will take that amount of time for my procedure) but no let's make the patient wait another hour then confirm it wont happen! All of this after I had been prepped for the OP! Coincidentally and conveniently after the bookings department had all gone home at 4 pm so we don't even know when the next op will be scheduled for! I was lucky my son (who has lost a days work for this) and wife hung about for me to be taken down to theatre otherwise it would have meant another 180 mile + round trip in one day to collect me.

After having no food since 7:30 pm the previous evening and no liquids from 5:45 am that morning I was very hungry as you can imagine and am still drinking more than usual as I would assume after being without liquid and food for that amount of time I had started to dehydrate.

Coincidentally at 3:00 pm. it was suggested that I could receive some form of liquid either by drip or via mouthwash but it would be beneficial if I waited until 4:00 to 4:30pm.

At 4:15 we were visited by a Sister who confirmed that I was to go home.

When my wife went to find out what was going on at 3:00pm the reply was "what are you still waiting"

When I was referred to the Cardioligy Clinic at James Paget Hospital on May 20 I was told that my condition should need urgent attention. It's now been 16 weeks and counting. What do papwoth call urgent.