A HOSPITAL has cancelled all non-urgent operations after failing to meet Government targets.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, Woolwich, has had to scrap all non-emergency operations because it is not succeeding on A&E admissions.

As a result, hundreds of patients will have to wait until at least the end of March to go under the surgeon's knife.

The decision was made because the hospital is failing to meet the four-hour criteria.

This means if an A&E department fails to see patients within four hours, a bed must be found for them.

Assistant practitioner Diane Woodall, of Sidcup Road, New Eltham, had her operation on a prolapsed rectum cancelled three times.

She said: "I work in a hospital and I know how these things work. What they are saying is just a load of crap.

"It is beyond belief. Everybody from my consultant to my care nurse said I must have the operation done immediately."

Mrs Woodall, 48, who works in the x-ray department at Lewisham Hospital, has now had her operation re-scheduled for early next month.

She added: "I had the mentality to fight the decision but so many people do not do that, so the hospital gets away with it. It's terrible."

A Woolwich GP, who wishes to remain anonymous, is also concerned. She said: "There is a surge in demand for beds every winter so they should have planned for this.

"Many people who have already waited months for important operations which could relieve terrible pain will now have to wait even longer because of Government targets. It's outrageous."

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust says it does not expect the situation to continue beyond the end of March.

A hospital spokesman said: "The trust regrets it has had to take this action. However, the situation is being reviewed on a daily basis."

Have you had your operation cancelled? Call the newsdesk on 01689 885721 or write to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT.