Hospital has cancelled my surgery
Hospitals try to keep all their surgery appointments but sometimes they may need to postpone or cancel your surgery. Common reasons include:
- an emergency surgery has taken priority over your scheduled surgery
- lack of beds in the hospital
- the surgeon is no longer available.
The hospital will call and explain if your surgery is cancelled.
My circumstances have changed
If you feel unwell in the days before your surgery, or on the day of surgery, call the hospital or your surgeon to let them know.
Contact your hospital as soon as possible if you:
- change any contact details, such as your address or phone number
- are unable to attend due to work or family commitments
- become pregnant – see Better Health Channel’s Pregnancy page
- have a new medical problem or medication- see Better Health Channel’s Managing treatments and medications
- no longer have a support person or carer to stay with you after surgery
- have concerns about your surgery.
Fasting incorrectly
Surgery can be cancelled if fasting procedures are not followed correctly.
Make sure you understand when you need to stop eating and drinking and what you can eat and drink leading up to your surgery (24-48 hours before).
Medications
Surgery can be cancelled if medications such as blood thinners are not stopped at the right time before your surgery.
It is important to ask your healthcare team when you might need to stop medications and record this on the medication records resource.
For more information, see I’ve found out my surgery date.