A Winchester woman who has had an operation to remove a brain tumour cancelled six times has been told it will go ahead in the next few days.

Noreen Adams was diagnosed more than a year ago, but bosses at Southampton General Hospital have repeatedly put back the lifesaving operation.

Now the hospital has pledged to find her a bed.

Spokesman Marilyn Kay told the Daily Echo: "We are doing everything possible to ring-fence a bed so we can bring her in as soon as possible. It will be a matter of days rather than weeks or months."

Retired mum Mrs Adams has already lost the hearing in one of her ears and if the operation does not go ahead soon, she fears her face could even become paralysed.

"I'm not a swearing person but I have sworn at more doctors, receptionists and secretaries over the last eight months than I have ever before in my life," said the retired mum, who lives in Cheriton.

"It's needless suffering. The NHS, which should be making me feel better and curing my problems, is giving me far, far more.

"Mentally, I am not sure how much longer I can go on."

Winchester MP Mark Oaten criticised the hospital, saying the case pointed towards drastic problems.

"The government can talk about as many league tables as it likes but while you still have people like Mrs Adams having an operation cancelled six times, the NHS is still not performing to the level I would like to see," said the Lib Dem politician.

Today Southampton General Hospital admitted Mrs Adams' repeated cancellations were "unacceptable".

Ms Kay, spokesman for Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, blamed the problem on a shortage of highly skilled neuro intensive nurses in the neurological unit.

"People have left for a variety of reasons and we are actively recruiting, with advertisements appearing in the national press," she said.

"Because of the trust's financial position, it is not viable to pay out for very expensive agency staff.

"We have seven beds open and remain open to emergencies but are having to delay some of our existing cases.

"Clearly it is unacceptable for this lady to still be waiting for her operation.

"She could have had the surgery but the problem would have been afterwards, when she would have needed intensive care."