AN ANGRY mum has slammed the NHS as "ridiculous" after her daughter’s operation was cancelled moments before she was due to go into theatre because of a hospital mix-up.
Little Rhomi Atkinson was in a hospital gown waiting to be go into the operating theatre at the Royal Blackburn Hospital when her mum, Holly Young of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington, was told the surgery had to be cancelled.
The operation has to be carried out by highly-skilled surgeons but because of a "scheduling error" one of them didn’t arrive.
The 18-month-old was due to have surgery to correct a number of problems including dysfunctional tear ducts, a cleft nose which has left her with a hole at the side of her nostril and a skin tag on her face.
Holly, 20, a former Moorhead Sports College pupil, said: "We were told that it was a simple operation but they still couldn’t do it that day.
"We are sick of it. We had got ourselves all worked up and prepared for the operation but then we were let down at the last minute and sent home. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
"All I want is to get the operation over with. It has been very stressful for us."
Val Bertenshaw, director of operations for clinical services, told the Observer: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused in the cancellation of the operation. It required the presence of two consultant surgeons, who are professionals in their respective areas of maxillo-facial surgery and ophthalmology.
"Due to a scheduling error a consultant became unavailable for the operation which resulted in the cancellation. We will ensure that it is rescheduled for the earliest possible time."
