"Two years seems a very long time"

My father in law was in hospital in 2014, he was given a follow up outpatient cardiology appointment for June 2014 which he attended. He was told he had some minor issues but nothing serious but that he would be reviewed routinely. His next review was scheduled for June 2015, this was cancelled and rearranged for October 2015. His October appointment was then cancelled and rearranged for January 2016. His appointment for January 2016 was then cancelled and rearranged for April 2016, which was then cancelled and rearranged for July 2016. This appointment in July was then rearranged from the 6th to the 7th of July. He finally attended his cardiology review just over two years after his initial appointment. The consultant's name on the letters has also changed three times. My father in law is in his 70s and thankfully has a good memory and attends all appointments he recieves. He did not cancel or rearrange any of these appointments. When he did finally attend he was told he's to go for some tests and then return for a review. A week ago he recieves a letter giving him his next appointment date, we were both shocked to see that it is January 2018! I have no idea how anyone, particularly an elderly person is supposed to keep track of all the changes to appointment or remember that they have a review appointment 18 months away. I also find it very disturbing that an appointment can be pushed back so many times without explanation. Two years seems a very long time, even for a routine review for an elderly patient with cardiac issues.