"Second cancelled operation"

Anything else?

A warning to anyone about to have hip or knee surgery in Maple B Ward at the Cumberland Infirmary that they may have their planned hip or knee replacement cancelled at the last minute; and I do mean the last minute. This has happened to me twice, the second time was yesterday morning January 8th 2013 when I had my knee replacement op cancelled about 15 minutes before going to theatre. The blame lies with the hospital administrators who, presumably to save money, reduced the number of trauma beds resulting in those patients, some with infections, being admitted overnight to wards previously only for orthopaedic patients. Why would they reduce trauma beds in the winter for goodness sake when they are most needed?

My wonderful consultant wanted to do the op but quite correctly was not prepared to put me his patient at risk of infection. If I wasn't so keen for my consultant to do my operation I would consider starting again at Hexham hospital.

Being a diabetic patient, I was admitted to Maple B the afternoon before which gave me enough of an insight of the staff. Fear not! they are marvellous and you really matter as a person.

Fingers crossed for third time lucky later in January.