"Long waits at Leicester - when is an emergency an emergency?"

Found that my three year old son James had an infectionon his private parts. Consulted to NHS phone line. An appointment was made by the help line for 8 at night. We arrived and waited for two hours. Asked the receptionist how much longer. There are only four people in front of us. OK. Seven people then went ahead of us and two cancellations. Asked again. How long. Only three people ahead of us.

I asked why had it changed from four to ten people? why were we given an appointment for 8 instead of 11 or 12 o clock? I was told 'These people are emergencies'.

After four hours we took our three year old home without seeing a doctor. If these others were emergencies why didnt they get directed to Accident and Emergency.

We are compelled as tax payers to pay for this service with out refund for bad service or the option to cancel contract. If we pay to go privately we still have to pay for this one.

I expect value for money and expect a refund for failure for service. This should be compulsory as are the payments that have to be made by myself and the rest of the population. Further i would expect the moneys paid to allow effective administration in the simplest issue, as in the direction of patients to the appropriate departments for all our benefits. I cannot help but feel that the system is costly, mismanaged, and inefficient. And who suffers for this. A three year old boy who looks to his elders for care and attention when it is needed.