"Operation cancelled at very short notice"

I attended a Cardioversion timed for 0700 on Wednesday 11 October 2017. The procedure required a general anaesthetic and I was interviewed by a nurse for assessment a few days earlier. At that interview, I was told by the nurse that I should eat a dry biscuit before leaving home on the morning of the operation. This information was put in writing.

On arrival at the hospital just before 0700 I was shown to a private room by the night staff and told that I would be dealt with by the day staff when they came on duty at 0700. I was then left without contact by anyone until 0730.

At about 0730, a nurse started to take my details; these included any solids or liquids which I had ingested since the previous evening. I told the nurse about eating the dry biscuit at about 0600 - just before leaving home - as directed.

This information appeared to be the cause of the appearance of the Surgeon, who told me that the operation was being cancelled as they and the Anaesthetist had decided that the risk inherent in my having eaten a biscuit (as instructed) constituted a risk to my recovery from the anaesthetic, and they were not prepared to take that risk. A new appointment was to be proposed.

I have a complaint on several issues which I will pursue through the regular channels..

1. Why was the nurse authorised to tell me to eat a biscuit before attending the hospital?

2. Who is responsible for the training and operation of this nurse? Did they receive any instruction from the Anaesthetist?

3.Why was I asked to attend hospital for 0700 and then left without attention for 30 minutes? This level of attention is to be expected from a NHS hospital, but not for Nuffield Health privately paid for - or is it?

4. Before leaving the hospital at 1000, I was offered, and accepted, an interview with the head nurse. That interview did not take place, as I eventually tired of waiting for yet another unspecified period of time whilst the head nurse attended to other business ( I was told that they were on site and had been made aware of my request). I understand that it is part of the hospital's complaints procedure that the responsible officer should discuss the complaint in person with the patient. Why did this not happen?

5. My long-suffering wife, who does not enjoy driving through York in the dark, had to make 4 car journeys in rapid succession, two of which were in the dark. Staff at all levels at the hospital that morning (including the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist) seem to be blissfully unaware of the disruption to the lives of 85-year-old patients and their 83-year-old wives that these incidents cause.

I will have to consider very carefully whether or not to use Nuffield Health York Hospital again. Your future patients should carefully consider likewise. "All that glisters is not gold".