Denied cancer surgery

sir – In April, after coughing blood, I contacted my GP. After many weeks and two X-rays, a CT scan indicated that, despite being a non-smoker, I had lung cancer. Surgery was agreed.

The surgeon’s estimate of a fourweek wait became seven. After a final two-week isolation and a Covid test I was due to be admitted last Tuesday. That morning I had a call from the hospital telling me that my operation would be delayed by three weeks. No explanation was offered as the caller knew nothing of my situation.

You can imagine my anxiety over the past five months. The distress at having life-saving surgery delayed is hardly bearable. Can I believe the new date any more than the first?

Do not believe the propaganda that the NHS is open for business. It is not.

J E Smart

Coventry, Warwickshire

sir – I welcome the Government drive to get non-covid patients to visit hospitals (report, October 9), but who will care for them when NHS staff are seconded from non-covid services to the vaunted Nightingale hospitals in the event of the feared second wave? Dr Eric Somerville

Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

sir – Many of the non-covid sick will not come for treatment, because they are frightened, not of Covid itself, but because under the present inhuman rules, their “loved ones” will not be able to accompany and support them. If hospitalised, they will be unable to receive visits when most needed.

Only one visitor, if any, is permitted, and only for a pre-booked hour slot, during which no physical contact is allowed. Any neglect in care (yes, it does happen) goes unchallenged.

The present NHS has many things to answer for, but one is the scandalously high non-covid death statistics.

Erica Barrett

Hastings, East Sussex