"Short staffed or just ineffiicient?"

Anything else?

I have been attending Windsor Eye clinic for four years, but in the past 2 years I had appointments cancelled at the last minute with the promise of a reappointment, which only materialises after I chase it up - and/or the next appointment cannot be given when I am there and I am promised a letter which does not come within the timeframe recommended. Are there not enough doctors (I see a registrar now rather than the consultant) or are they too busy doing private work? Last time I visited on Dec 7th I was given a prescription for additional eye drops and told that a letter would be sent to my doctor for the repeat prescrition but as of now, 10 Jan, the drops have run out and my doctor has not received a letter so cannot prescribe. On calling the hospital I am told that I need to speak to the consultant's secretary but there is no answer. I appreciate that at this time of year people may be on holiday but why is there no system in place for dealing with these matters? What is the point of giving me eye drops and a follow up appointment to see how they are working if the medication is interrupted? I have spoken to others who have had the same experience even when it is not holiday time. Are the staff inefficient or do they need more staff? .Do they care about the patients?