A CANCER victim claimed he was “sentenced to death” after a life-saving operation was cancelled at the 11th hour because of a hospital beds shortage.

Michael Heath, 57, was given just weeks to live after being diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer last month.

But then he was given a glimmer of hope.

Extremely high-risk surgery carried out by a specialist at the Royal London Hospital offered him a chance of survival.

The former graphic designer was due to have the surgery on Monday.

But when he arrived at the Royal London, he was told the vital op had been cancelled because no intensive care beds were available.

Hospital bosses rescheduled treatment for April 13 – but the patient wasn’t expected to survive that long.

Healthcare bosses have apologised for the situation and have now scheduled the surgery at a different hospital.

Read the full story in the Clacton Gazette, out now.