"Phone system"

I rang this hospital 6 (SIX) times 10 september, needing to speak to n operator. Each time I waited whilst listening to "assuring" messges that I would be answered soon and each time the phone finally timed out and cut me off. I have rung again twice today, each time a very long wait till the operator answered and each time I was told I was being put through to a consultant's secretary and each time the phone cut out. This is the worst hospital phone answering service I have experienced in a reasonably long life....by miles. Perhaps the skills offered by the consultants is the best in the country but this important back up service - "first impressions count" is simply terrible. Someone needs to take ownership and resolve. Jeremy Stirling