"Follow up enquiry to infirmary appointment"

My initial appointment went very well. I was informed that I would be referred to North Staffs and receive an appointment from there within 4 months. After nearly 5 months I had heard nothing so recontacted the infirmary, I only had details of my appointment date there and tried to explained this to the telephonist. I was immediately put through to an extension which turned out to be incorrect. From this extension I was transferred to another department and yet another. Finally I was put through to the neurologist secretary which was an answerphone, I left a message requesting a return call but a week later this still has not materialised.

Today I re-contacted and was at least transferred to the correct department (neurology) for my carpel tunnel problem. It transpires that my referral to North Staffs had not even been sent and was done whilst I was on the telephone. Do I think this service good?? No not particularly, it is no wonder the National Health is cracking when fundamental administration procedures aren't completed.

A waste of the NHS time and also mine, when it is so busy having to take extra calls to clarify what has gone wrong is not good. The attitude of staff on both occasions seemed like let me get on with my day, which is understandable but the problem was not caused by myself in the first place but by an inept procedure.