"How long are you supposed to wait??"

Saw my doctor on 11th June ref inguinal hernia that was very painful. My referal from my doctor for a surgery appointment was received by the hospital on 14th June, I called them on the 23rd as I had not heard anything, I was told they could not find me in the system and to call my gp to obtain my NHS no, never really been sick so did not know it. Got it from GP and called back still could not find me, went through the letters of referal and found me, said they would go to the consultant that week. I told them that i felt it could be urgent as it was very painful and was affecting my job. The lady told me she had written on the letter so that the consultant would be aware of my situation. Having not heard by 2nd of July I called to be told there was no one in the department until after 2pm, I called at 10 past 2 to be told still no one in the dept. Due to work I did not call again until 4th July, no one in the dept, called again Sat 5th to be told no one in until Monday. So to sum up hospital have had my referal for 3 weeks without response, I have been under private medical for the last 25 years and never needed it, still have to pay the same into NHS even when you pay private cover so the response to my situation is pretty disappointing to say the least, I can imagine there are many who have waited an age?? In the mean time I shall limp around in agony at work hoping that the intestine doesnt get twisted either before or during my holiday and I dont end up collapsing somewhere with gangreen, bit dramatic perhaps!