"A & E Dept Maidstone Hospital 7.30pm Thursday..."

I checked in at around 7.20pm with the receptionist having been to London on business.

I explained to the receptionist that I needed Antibiotics to quell what I believed to be an absess under one of my top molars.

I was seen fairly quickly, probably 10 minutes or so by the duty Medic/Nurse

Once again I explained the problem, that I was in pain, that I had booked an appointment with my Dentist next Thursday 7th July at 10.30am and that all I needed was Antibiotics.

It was explained to me, as if I were a child, that the A & E Department did not give out Antibiotics because there could be (I assume theoretically) an instance where the patient will take the Antibiotics, not see her/his Dentist and complications could arise.

I explained I was a qualified Chartered Surveyor (professional) with a modicum of intelligence and that I had booked to see my Dentist as I had indicated to them.

I was offered the telephone number of some emergency Dentist and/or the recommendation I make an earlier appointment with my Dentist. I declined, walked and paid the parking fee. Pain killers were not offered.

This is obviously a case of Health & Safety gone berserk and getting in the way of any sort of patient care. Were I an idiot I might understand their reasoning or their instructions.

I will suffer the pain and never set foot in this Hospital in my life again.