A WOMAN whose operation at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was cancelled at the last minute claims it was because there was a trolley shortage.

However, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said there was actually a shortage of beds, not trolleys. Mum-of-two Wendy White, from Malvern, waited six months for an appointment for a colonoscopy to find the cause of painful irritable bowel

syndrome.

But the 52-year-old dental nurse claims she turned up only to be told - along with several other patients - she would have to go home because there weren't enough trolleys.

"The consultant explained the trolley shortage meant he had to prioritise patients," she said.

"I know I'm not suffering from a life-threatening disease but I'd hate to be at death's door at the Royal if things like this happen.

"Beds are one thing but a lack of trolleys is ridiculous."

The Worcester News last week revealed how the Royal cancelled 943 operations at the last minute in 2004/05.

Mrs White has now written to West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer to complain after being told she faces a further six week to six month wait for a second appointment.

A trust spokesman said: "We are sorry for any inconvenience or distress Mrs White has suffered."

Sir Michael said: "It seems extraordinary that this could happen because of a lack of trolleys.

"I am deeply sympathetic because it is an emotional and traumatic event to prepare for such invasive treatment, only to be let down in this way at the last minute.

"It is very bad indeed."

A spokesman for said there was not a shortage of trolleys but in fact beds - sometimes referred to as trolleys by hospital staff.

He added the Trust was reluctant to cancel operations at any time.

"However there are times when the need to deliver lifesaving treatment to large numbers of emergency patients does mean that we have to cancel some planned procedures - sometimes, regrettably, at very short notice," he added.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience or distress Mrs White has suffered and are trying to make sure that we offer her a new appointment as soon as possible."

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