I WAS summoned to the ear, nose and throat department of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital at 7.30am on Thursday, October 13, for a day operation and was shown into a waiting room. There were two people only there but it soon filled up.

After five hours (12.30pm) when many of the patients who had arrived after me had gone for their operation, I was transferred to a room of departmental equipment where blood tests were carried out.

Some hours later I was decked in a theatre gown and once again left while enquiries were made about the possibility of a bed.

At approximately 4pm I was informed that a bed had been found and I was directed to the requisite ward.

Hurrah, my operation was imminent! Not on your nelly, I spent another couple of hours sitting on a bed - waiting.

A staff nurse arrived and informed me that I would not have my operation that day or the next day. It was getting dark and I trudged those interminable corridors to meet my tired companion and had a wonderful, overdue, restaurant meal, after nothing since 6pm previous night. Even that failed me ...I was violently sick!

J THOMAS, Bosbury Road, Cradley.