A WORCESTER resident who is in "agony" has spoken out over his neglect by the NHS after repeated cancellations for a hernia operation.

Mike Hemming, from Barbourne in Worcester, says he has been ignored despite his desperate plea to arrange his operation.

Mr Hemming, aged 62, had been due to have a hernia operation on his right groin in December last year, only to be told eight hours after the operation was scheduled for that it had been cancelled because theatres were way behind schedule.

While the operation was rescheduled for February, he was then told there was no record of his operation on the NHS database.

Despite complaining to Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), Mr Hemming has had no response as to when he will be able to have his operation.

"I suffer with a bad hip and knee so I was due to have injections, which I have had before, but was told I couldn't because of high blood sugar as I am diabetic.

"I thought it was really strange as after four or five injections I was told I can't have another one. 

"Then I was supposed to have a hernia operation last December at 7:30am. I was second on the list, then fourth, then fifth, and was then told at 5:30pm that the theatre was way behind so my operation wouldn't be going ahead.

"I complained to PALS and had my operation re-booked for February 9 in Redditch, with a pre-op on the 6th at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, but it was again cancelled as their database had no record of the operation.

"Worcester clinic also told me I couldn't have the operation because my sugar levels were too high, and I thought 'what's going on?'.

"PALS assured me they were looking into it but I've had no response. I don't know when my operation is booked for, I feel completely neglected.

"I don't like to complain because the NHS have a difficult job but it's a shambles. I'm in pain, but they don't seem to care about the pain I'm in."

Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust said: "While we can’t comment on individual cases, we make every effort to avoid cancelling operations because we know how distressing it can be for patients. We are sorry if Mr Hemming is unhappy with any aspect of his care.

"Mr Hemming has shared his concerns with us and we will provide him with a full response."

A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to patient Mr Hemming as Mr Hew. We have corrected our error and included a revised comment provided by the Trust which acknowledges that they have received Mr Hemming's complaint and intend to respond. 

We apologise to the Trust and PALS for any confusion caused by our error.