"I have been visiting this hospital ..."

What I liked

I have been visiting this hospital for several years and find the long wait between appointments, totally unacceptable. I see a consultant, he arranges a test and it is a year before I see him again, get the results and another test is arranged. Consequently it has taken 4 years to diagnose my heart disease.

The hospital needs to give an appointment within 6 weeks of writing (for government statistics I presume). There is however, a "waiting list" for this appointment of 6 weeks hence which can be up to 7 months! Throughout this time, the patient has no idea when they will get an appointment to see their consultant for important test results.

What could be improved

Transparency about when patients will receive an appointment.

The emphasis appears to be on maintaining targets and therefore"hiding" patients waiting for appointments. Patients worrying about test results and having no idea when they will get them seem to be of secondary importance..