"Last minute operation cancellation!"

Having waited for the last 2 weeks for a relative to have major surgery, we finally reached the point of admittance. After lots of preparations, canulas etc. the time of the op arrived. However, literally at the point they were due to be taken to theatre the op was cancelled due to no HDU bed being available! Whilst we appreciate that emergencies happen, how can such a large hospital run on such fine margins where things like this can happen in this day and age. To only have 8 HDU beds for every person in Stockport and the High Peak is a travesty, especially when you consider that Stepping Hill recently acquired the 'super' hospital status! Whilst the staff were brilliant and very apologetic, our lives are now on hold again whilst we wait for a replacement date. How do we know that the same thing is not going to happen again? All that money wasted now on the medical care received and the surgeon then sat twiddling their thumbs because they didn't have a patient to operate on. A complete and utter farce!