Waited a year

Patient sent home shortly before planned operation

The teacher Rene B. made an appointment for an operation at Kepler University Hospital a year in advance.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

Rene B. from Linz was already in hospital when he found out after two hours of waiting that he would not be going under the knife after all. His implant will not be removed for another six months. The hospital apologized for the lack of information. Operating theaters are closed due to staff shortages.

Rene B. (43) was already in hospital last Sunday. Ready for his operation, which he had arranged a year in advance especially for the fall vacations so that he would not have to miss work as a teacher at his school in Linz. After two hours of waiting, the Kepler University Hospital informed him: He would not be going under the knife after all; his orthopaedic operation had already been postponed for six months two days earlier.