"Gynaecology Department"

On Monday the 21st July 2014 I attended the Gynaecology department at this miracle of modern NHS care, I had to report at 07.30 without having had a modicum of food and just water to drink. On arrival having duly reported in I was placed in the Emergency Gynaecology unit waiting room eventually with 3 other patients for similar operations. We were first informed that despite the early hour our operations were scheduled for 1400, since that was when the afternoon list commenced and, the Consultant was taking a clinic at Maidstone Hospital in the a.m. I was told that I would be number one on the list, came the time they decided to take a diabetic lady first, which was fair enough, then I was put down the list again for another patient who did not appear to have any criteria for processing than I or the remaining other patient. At 16.10 I was told that my operation would not take place since there were no beds available, and that the Consultant was terribly sorry but he could not re-schedule since he was going on holiday next week. I have waited 3 years to have this corrective surgery, the result of previous NHS 'cock-ups', to say I was devastated was the least of my emotions. Insult was added by a young female Doctor enquiring earlier whether I really wanted this operation at my age, despite another patient being 9 years older, and did I really need it. Had this gormless so called trained person read my notes it would have been apparent that my need had already been stressed by the consultant himself, and appeared quite upset when I told her so. My partner had rung the unit at 15.30 to find out how the operation had gone to be told that I was waiting to 'go down', at which he expressed horror since he is well aware of my problem with dehydration, to be told 'Oh it's alright, we gave them a drink at 12 o'clock. When the nurse on duty asked if I would like to speak to Matron I affirmed, the nurse then spoke to Matron, who looked our way shrugged her shoulders and disappeared. I intend taking this to the highest level, even the most basic of nurses should be capable of assessing how many beds are required for the patients listed, in emergency why not use the day beds? Or is that too beyond the abilities within the NHS to comprehend. You are a soulless uncaring collection of money grabbing management and all their hangers on. Mrs D Morgan. ME20