"Appointments system for eye department"

I have been visiting St Helens eye dept for many years and over the last few years have seen many improvements and less waiting times on some occasions. The procedure has always been once seen then the next appt would be sent for my follow up for 6 months later. As I hadn't received a follow up appt I contacted the appt dept to be told that they had now changed the system and the new appt would only be sent 6 weeks before the date. At that call I was told my new appt would be in the beginning of Dec. I confirmed that I would not be able to attend as I was away and then given an appt for Jan 2016.

What worries me is that if I hadn't phoned up I wouldn't have known my appt date. and heavens knows what date I would be given if I had only received this 6 weeks before. Anyway who gets the cancelled appts that there will undoubtably be?