DS surgery cancelled 1 hour before admission

[Chefwifelife]

I understand that they don't have a bed on the ward for him due to children from A&E being admitted. But they rang 1 hour before he was due to be admitted and 15 minutes before we were about to leave the house.

It's taken a year to get to this point with 3 lost referrals. We had 3 weeks notice for his surgery and I had to cause chaos for our booking office to rearrange 2 whole weeks worth of patients.

Thank god my boss is a saint and a parent herself.

I'm not sure of the point of this other than not losing my shit.

This happens all the time OP. It has happened to my mum when she's been all gowned and ready to go in! The surgical team were there and waiting, but because it was winter, and flu season, there were no recovery beds. The surgeon actually came in and did the operation on a Saturday because he knew otherwise my mum would be on the waiting list again for months.

Yes, rant away. It just should not happen unless there is a dire emergency such as a terrible road accident with multiple casualties.

My surgery was cancelled because the operating kit they'd ordered in was found to not be sterile. They sent for another kit which came that afternoon and was also not sterile!
I was so upset as I'm self employed and needed significant time off afterwards and had arranged things with my clients. They did fit me in a few days later though!

I've even had my own previous knee surgery cancelled on the day and deep down I was really expecting it.

There are so many influencing factors on the day; the future is predictably unpredictable!

It's really frustrating, but inevitable imo when the NHS is so underfunded.

I rocked up for surgery once, ravenous and really thirsty from not eating or drinking for hours beforehand, only to be sent home again because there'd been a lot of accidents (icy weather) and all the orthopaedics team were working on emergency admissions. I fully accepted it, and happily trotted off for a full English and a gallon of tea. DP was a bit pissed off that he'd wasted a day's leave to take me and pick me up afterwards.

It was only when we were in the cafe that it dawned on me that I'd spent a week working out which colleagues could cover my caseload, writing handover notes, letting clients know who'd be supporting them while I was off and getting absolutely everything up to date. And that I'd have to do it all again a few weeks later.

I sat there and cried at the very thought!

It's hard to adjust when you're all psyched up for surgery and it doesn't go ahead imo. Hopefully your DS won't have to wait too long.

Just a little update that my lo had his surgery today one a one week delay. He's been an absolute trooper and i can't wait to get home. Thank you for everyone for letting me vent last week. X

Hope your son has a good recovery from his op.

The Hospital documentary on BBC2 really showed then effects of cancelled surgeries,there were some really sad stories. And all down to beds,particularly intensive care.

That is great news, after last week’s faff!

Glad he has had op and on the mend .

I read something a couple of days ago about there been no children’s beds in the country.

That’s great news. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery & a return to life as normal ASAP!

I'm so glad you've got it done and it went well. Good luck to you and your ds with the recovery process x

That’s why people pay for private health insurance but obviously it’s out of reach for most. Sorry you’ve been through this OP. It’s shit. Hope your son gets his surgery soon 🙂