Ref. 28641-12GRANDMOTHER Sheila Ladd has had four operations cancelled in two months because of an increase in more urgent cases at Great Western Hospital.

This comes at a time when medics at the hospital claim morale is at an all-time low through bed shortages and a surge in admissions.

Mrs Ladd, 67, who suffers from a bladder condition, was hoping to have her one-day operation yesterday.

But on Wednesday, she was told by Great Western Hospital that surgeons were too busy dealing with emergencies to fit her in.

Initially Mrs Ladd, who lives in Old Walcot, was to have the operation on November 3.

It was then put back to Novem-ber 13 and then to December 16 before the latest date was set.

"It is a disgrace and I am extremely upset," said Mrs Ladd, who has 10 grandchildren.

"I have not been told when the new date of the operation will be.

"Nobody should have their operation cancelled that number of times."

"The Government says waiting lists are supposed to be coming down, but it doesn't seem to be happening in Swindon."

Chris Birdsall, spokesman for the hospital, said that he could not comment on Mrs Ladd's case but confirmed that a number of non-emergency operations had been postponed.

Although more than 60 new beds have been created at the hospital since September, Mr Birdsall said that demand has been so high that postponements were inevitable.

He said: "When we get the kind of surge that we have been experiencing of late we are forced to use other areas of the hospital, including the day surgery unit.

"It is essential that we treat people according to medical need, which means sometimes we have to postpone non-emergency surgery.

"We've have had to admit a lot cases involving chest pains.

"We offer our apologies to those affected and we assure them that the decision to postpone surgery is not taken lightly."

He added that next April would see the opening of a 128-bed treatment centre for non-emergency surgery.

Last week the hospital was forced to shut it's doors to non-emergency cases for 12 hours because of a lack of space.

Several disgruntled staff phoned the Advertiser in desperation over the situation last week.

One nurse speaking through her union Unison said: "It is very worrying because there doesn't seem to be a solution to the problem.

"It's becoming busier and we can't see a way out of the situation."