"Broken Appointments again and again"

I used to take the micky out of my Father in Law when he would continually complain to me about the eye clinic at Orsett. He told me he was forever being messed around with dates and times being changed. My thoughts were that he exaggerated about most things in life, one more story I can ignore.

Oh dear how wrong I was - sorry.

I was given an appointment for a "field of vision test" and at the same time an appointment to see the Consultant. When I reported to reception I was informed that a letter was sent cancelling the Consultant. I completed the Test and was then handed the letter by what I felt was a very sheepish nurse stating that this should be posted, even though it had just been typed.

After a two month wait I attended the rearranged appointment only to be told by the receptionist that a message had been left on my phone, (no there wasn't). She immediately left her office and arranged for the Sister in charge to confirm that a message had been left informing me of an alternative appointment, a further two months down the line in June, "isn't it strange that when things go wrong the big guns a brought in to back up the troops". I heard the next patient in the queue commented to the effect "what another mix-up."

I felt so annoyed with the receptionist that I turned around and left.

A bit hasty maybe on my part but why why why is nothing done about what I feel is an obviously substandard appointment system at Orsett hospital.