Whether or not the decision originally that this op could take place is/was justified, the fact is that the NHS is currently facing unbelievable financial challenges - my employer alone had to save £25m in the last 6 months of this financial year, and so any non-urgent operations and procedures are having to be delayed or postponed, there is no choice, there is no money.
Whilst so many other people are having operations deferred, why should this person be any different? - whilst NHS workers are losing their jobs left right and centre to help meet these Government reduction targets, not everyone can have what was promised to them a few months back.
The article doesn't say it's been cancelled, it says that there is no money for it - it doesn't say "ever" - it would be helpful to know what the letter deferrring the operation actually said.