"Shocked by dietician's telephone assessment"

I'm totally baffled by the fact that despite requesting an assessment by the Shropshire community dietician, for my elderly Mother who suffers with Vascular Dementia, as well as type two Diabetes, it has now taken place over the telephone, after waiting for nearly nine months. Can anyone explain how an accurate assessment such as this, can carried out in this manner?

While I understand that all NHS services are under pressure, this situation beggars belief.