A Manchester hospital has apologised after it cancelled a heart patient's operation six times.

Delays to the operation on pensioner Stanley Ford at Wythenshawe Hospital were described as "completely unacceptable" by a government minister.

Mr Ford, from Warrington, Cheshire, was scheduled for a triple heart bypass, but a bed shortage at the hospital meant he was still waiting three months later.

The hospital, in south Manchester, has admitted the delays to his operation were the worst in its history.

Mr Ford's record of cancellations was the worst on the Trust's records

Wythenshawe Hospital

Helen Jones, Warrington North MP, raised his case in the House of Commons and has been backed by health minister John Hutton.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hutton said: "The way Mr Ford and his family were treated is completely unacceptable and falls well short of the standards we're all entitled to expect from our national health service."

Ms Jones accused the hospital of being obstructive, claiming they had not provided her with the information on Mr Ford's case.

Sincere apologies

Peter Morris, chief executive of South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, apologised for the delays to the operation.

In a statement he said: "Mr Ford's record of cancellations was the worst on the Trust's records."

He said the operation was cancelled three times earlier this year in only a two week period. It was finally carried out in July this year.

"I would like to publicly express my sincere apologies for the distress and frustration which Mr Ford and his family have been caused."