"A complete mess"

After waiting several months to have knee surgery I received all call less than 12 hours before I was due to go in cancelling my appointment because the anaesthetist was ill. No further information or apology just "your appointment has been cancelled". I called to re-arrange the appointment the next day and was shipped over several departments. I was told I was going to be called back and got nothing. After persistent calling they said the next free slot was a month away. I find the complete lack of humanity and understanding displayed by not one but several of the staff astounding. The staff sure aren't at the NHS for money, if they are not there for a desire to help and improve lives then the only option was that their incompetence left them with no other employer. How can you have only one anaesthetist? Surely there is another that could come in as cover is someone is ill? Surely there is an alternative to putting someone right to be back of the waiting list? A complete mess.