"Good luck getting to talk to Nutrition and..."

My partner received a letter where he was asked to ring them to get an appointment. So far we've both been trying for 2 days straight. I've literally kept calling over and over again and all I get is either no answer or the engaged tone. Given that if we don't ring them for an appointment within 2 weeks of the letter (which we got 4 days later than the date on it) they'll discharge him from their care, I'd say they're not doing all that great.

The letter also mention that there's an answering machine, but that's actually not the case. I would know, I've been ringing them continuously this morning and this afternoon, for hours on end.

Short version: we got the letter telling us to call them for an appointment 4 days late and it gives us 14 days to call them or they'll discharge my partner, and we've been trying the last couple of days for hours on end and they just won't answer.

I've generally found the personnel at the hospital to be supportive, competent and kind, but trying to get to this department at the phone is impossible so far. I'll have to go there and hope they answer in person (which, of course, means I'll have to spend time and money for the car park to do something that should be possible via phone), I don't need to tell you how impractical this is.