"Excessive waiting times"

My son had an eye appointment at 10.40am today. We were warned to allow two hours for the appointment but it was well over three hours by the time we were done. I had guessed my son would be back at school for lunch but he had to eat a sandwich on the way back and didn't get into school until 2.45! Even his teachers found it hard to believe that he had spent practically the whole day at an eye appointment! I must say that the staff we dealt with were all excellent and the assessment and treatment couldn't be faulted. I do think there needs to be better organisation in terms of appointment times. The actual procedures don't take very long and it is basically a lot of sitting around. The staff did mention that it was a "busy" day today but surely there can be a better system to ensure patients aren't kept waiting for excessively long times? I did find it ironic that on our letter we are warned that if were late then we would not be seen! We were actually early for our appointment. We respect that NHS staff's time is important. If this is so then wouldn't you agree that our time, as patients, is important and should be respected too? Judging by our experience today, it doesn't look like it at all!