A PENSIONER has had a heart operation cancelled three times because of a lack of critical care beds.

John Smailes has been waiting for surgery on an enlarged aortic aneurysm since February and doctors have told him unless he has the op he will die.

But three times - including twice after a night on the ward - the 69-year-old was told his vascular surgery had to be cancelled.

Retired sign painter Mr Smailes, of Sandyford, Newcastle, said: "It's been terrible to wait so long. You go into hospital thinking you're going to have the surgery, and then you are sent home again."

Last year, nearly 832 operations were cancelled at the last minute by Newcastle Hospitals - accounting for nearly one per cent of all procedures carried out.

Furious about the delays, John's wife of 49 years, Jane, a retired primary schoolteacher, wrote to Newcastle Hospitals chief executive Len Fenwick, Newcastle Central MP Jim Cousins and Secretary of State for Health John Reid.

In a letter to the Smailes, Mr Fenwick apologised for "failing to meet" the couple's "very reasonable expectations" and said they were right to have complained about their experiences.

Mr Cousins also wrote to the Smailes, telling them he would investigate their circumstances and get in touch with Newcastle Hospitals.

A new operation date has now been set for tomorrow at the Freeman Hospital and the couple are crossing their fingers it will go ahead this time.

Mrs Smailes, also 69, said: "We're not knocking the NHS for the sake of it but this should not be happening."