Months of waiting ended in dismay for one patient who turned up at hospital to find out her operation had been cancelled for the THIRD time.
Christine Everitt, 79 and from Sharples, says she has now had her knee replacement operation cancelled three times after months of waiting, with the latest cancellation only becoming known after she arrived at the hospital.
The latest cancellation happened on July 21 after she attended Royal Bolton Hospital for surgery, having completed her pre-operation preparations in the days beforehand.
Ms Everitt said: "I was devastated, actually, I was so mad this last time.
"The second time I was in tears, I was absolutely devastated, but this time I am so annoyed, I really am so annoyed."
Her partner, Cliff Cartmel, said Christine has been waiting around 12 months with problems affecting her knee and around six months for a replacement after receiving a diagnosis.
He said her first operation, due on June 16, was cancelled several days beforehand because of proposed doctors' strike action, despite the strike later being called off.
A second operation was arranged for June 30, but, Mr Cartmel said his partner received a call asking her to arrive early before another telephone call around 30 minutes later cancelled the procedure less than 24 hours before she was due to attend.
Ms Everitt said she had completed the required pre-operation preparations before attending the hospital for her third scheduled operation.
She added: "I have to take it again if I go in another appointment, and you've got to take it, like, five days before.
"Its taking this medication, and the day before, and all sorts of things.
"It's so annoying that I did all that and ended up with a case at the hospital, with everything all sorted, and then said cancel it, and they never rang
Mr Cartmel said they arrived at the Elective Care Centre at 7am on July 21 for Ms Everitt's 7.30am admission before being told she was not on the operating list.
He said hospital staff told them theatre closures meant operations had been transferred elsewhere and Ms Everitt was not scheduled in the alternative theatre.
He added he later contacted the hospital to ask why no cancellation notice had been received and was told somebody would call him back, but said he had not received a response by the time of the interview.
Ms Everitt said: "I think everybody feels the same way as me.
"It's just not acceptable really, is it?"
Ms Everitt also stressed she did not blame her consultant or hospital secretary for what had happened.
Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We would like to apologise to anyone whose operation has been cancelled or delayed.
"We understand how disappointing and frustrating this can be for patients and their families, particularly when they have been waiting for treatment.
“While we work hard to minimise disruption, there are occasions when procedures need to be postponed due to factors such as theatre capacity, periods of exceptionally hot weather, or short-notice staffing challenges.
“Reducing waiting times and avoiding cancellations remain key priorities for the Trust.
"We are continuing to increase theatre capacity, expand the number of same-day surgeries to help free up hospital beds, and provide personalised support to ensure patients are fully prepared for their procedure and able to undergo surgery as planned wherever possible.”
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