Misery as three eye operations stopped for Telford pensioner
A pensioner from Telford has had a vital eye operation called off three times in the space of two weeks due to staffing and equipment problems.
Robert Challinor, 82, from Leegomery, was forced to wait for five hours at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Friday before being sent home because the right instruments could not be found.
His first operation, scheduled for October 26, was cancelled because of an emergency and the second, three days later, was called off because there was no anaesthetist.
Mr Challinor's eyesight has deteriorated since a cataract operation in March. He said his life had been a misery for eight months.
Officials at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust have apologised.
His wife, Christine, said the cancellation of the latest operation on Friday had been 'an absolute nightmare'.
She said: "He was given his pre-med checks but just before going in they said his operation was cancelled because they did not have the right instrument to do the job."
Janine Harrison, centre manager for the Ophthalmology and Patient Access Centre managed by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said:
"Unfortunately we had to postpone Mr Challinor's procedure on Friday because we had three emergency cases which had to take priority.
"We will contact him this week to discuss a new date."
