"Referred to gynaecology by GP"

I was referred to the service by my GP after months of symptoms and pain.

I choose Bolton due to distance and they had the first arrival appointment.

I was impressed with the time period that I waited. On arrival I completed a lengthy questionnaire about my health/problems and symptoms.

I passed this to the consultant but was surprised that this was not looked at and I was asked all the same questions again.

I was pleased with the plan of care and felt involved in the decision making.

I was advised that I would have an operation and as this was for diagnostic reasons it would need to be within 6 weeks.

I was very pleased to be given a date there and then.

This allowed me to sort out my work diary and caseload as I also work for the NHS and have patients to care for.

The operation was confirmed in writing along with an appointment for my pre op assessment over the telephone.

I was not aware that pre ops were completed over the telephone.

The service was good and they called on the date and time as allocated.

I was told that an appointment would be sent to me for me to attend for mrsa swabs.

When I received my appointment for MRSA swaps I was going to be away with my family for the week within the UK.

I was told that they were unable to change the appointment and needed to have them as my operation was next week.

I was fine with this as needed the operation and so was fully prepared to leave my family at the holiday destination to attend the appointment.

The appointment was fine, quick and efficient.

The nurse was lovely and confirmed the operation details.

The next day I had a call from admissions by a rude and abrupt member of staff who informed me that my operation was cancelled.

They said they had been trying to contact me so i questioned this as I had not had any missed calls or messages left.

I also advised that I had been at Bolton One the day before and had the operation details confirmed.

This member of staff could not respond to this and shown no compassion to me.

They simply said that all operations on the Wednesday and Friday were cancelled due to no theatre staff.

I find this reason totally unacceptable for planned surgery but was told i was not the only one that had their operation cancelled.

I was advised that they did not have a new date for me and had no idea when it would be.

I was advised that if I did not hear anything

I should contact the consultant's secretary of which no contact details were given.

I have now received a new date after ringing admissions several times and really hope the operation goes ahead.

I fully understand that operations can be cancelled due to emergencies but to cancel through no theatre staff I find appalling and must be at a great cost to the NHS.

I was told that the operation should be done within 6 weeks due to it being for diagnostic reasons, if the operation goes ahead as planned it will be 11 weeks.