How many cancellations on NHS for a procedure?

[NamechangeFML]

Ive been pillar to post since January, and now I need an operation,
but i have to get a diagnostic procedure done before im even on the waiting list for it.
The clinic have called me and moved or cancelled it 5 times now?
Its an unpleasant procedure, so having the anxiety about waiting for it and actually having it done, are making me even more miserable!
I also have to keep rearranging childcare and let my work know so they can cover my shifts!

how many times are these things cancelled or moved? Is this normal?
*Im in Scotland

Dh has had his cancelled once so far. He's due to go back in 3 weeks and I'll be furious if it's changed again so I read your post in horror.

We had to pay someone to cover our business, book a hotel, arranged for a dog sitter...... and worst of all he'd been isolating for 3 days. They cancelled literally as we were leaving the house......

@Badger1970 oh that would be infuriating! When did he eventually go?

they keep changing the time or to the day before or after.
this time, its been re arranged with a week to go.
They seem suprised that DH cant get holiday at short notice so i can be discharged to him
and when i asked if i could go in for a Morning procedure- but id need to stay until 5pm until he could pick me up ( sedated) that they needed the bed free?
Once they called me and said " i dont know why you think youre procesure in on X day"
me " i DONT , YOUS called me three hours ago to caunge it ! Again!"

Last minute cancellations are likely to be due to lack of a bed or of staff. You don't want a procedure when they don't have the space or staff to treat you safely.

That said, complain to PALS so that whoever decides who to cancel knows just how many times you've been bumped off the list.

@stanfi yes im aware of the situation in the NHS at the moment. ( i dont blame them for leaving in their droves) but i feel like the only way im going to get any procedures done is if i come through A&E again? And thats not ideal either :(

Ill google PALS then, as i feel 5 times in a month is crazy

I was in my operating gown when my op was cancelled. Full time teaching job, had isolated for 3 days and then someone on my ward tested positive. Back on the list. This was 3 weeks ago.

@Incacat2 omg are they still asking us to isolate before !?

My hospital did but this was 3, nearly 4 weeks ago. I think many hospitals have dropped it now.

Phone up the secretary and politely ask about "can I make a complaint that it's been cancelled x times". Once you document it, it escalates your case and they don't like that, and then someone will try and resolve it.

DH has still got to isolate.

3 days before the procedure, you have a Covid test and then are supposed to isolate in your own home, I hate to say. That's what makes cancelling even more of an insult, tbh.