"Waiting Lists."

Following an appointment with the consultant in the gynaecology department at Stoke Mandeville hospital, I was placed on the waiting list for surgery.   I understand that the waiting period will be approximately 3 to 4 months.

Later in the same week the consultant in the opthalmology department at Amersham hospital placed me on the waiting list for a cataract operation at Stoke Hospital, for which the waiting list is 4 to 6 months.

One week later I received a call from the eye department at Stoke Mandeville informing me that hospital policy does not allow a patient to be on two waiting lists at the same time and I cannot remain on the cataract list until I have a date for the gynaecology operation.

Since the eye operation is unlikely to take place until 2 months after the other operation and, in any case, does not involve a general anaesthetic, this seems very unfair and means that I am unlikely to be able to see clearly again until next year.  Could you please explain why this policy exists and why I am being penalised for having two different health conditions.