"No apologies."

 attended an orthoptics appointment with my son at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion. We were finally called by the Orthoptist half an hour after our appointment time, with no explanation or apology. When I pointed out the delay, they ignored me. They then proceeded to hold open my sleepy son's eyes and shine bright lights in them which obviously discomforted him, laughing jollily the while, still with no apologies.

They then proffered a squeaky toy and asked him to grab it. Since my son has PMLD and virtually no motor ability (which anyone who had read his notes would know) this was upsetting to me and degrading to him. Sadly, this is not the first time we have experienced such treatment at the hands of the Orthoptists here - a disregard for patient feelings and time-pressures seems to be par for the course.

On a positive note, as always, we were treated with the utmost respect, courtesy, kindness and understanding when we finally got to see our consultant. He always brightens the hardest day at the Eye Pavilion and if it weren't for him I would frankly refuse to go back.