"Appointment process is not patient-centered at Queen's Hospital, Romford"

I got home from work at my usual 6.30 pm to find a letter giving me an appointment at Queen's Clinical Diagnostic, Romford for 10.00 am the following morning and asking that I telephone to say I would attend.

Unusually I was able to take an unforeseen Friday off work and at 9.00 am tried to telephone the given number. There was no answer. After 3 fruitless attempts I had to leave to go to the hospital - where I was eventually seen at 12.45! All this on an empty stomach.

Is this "efficiency" gone mad? Giving so little time could simply make for lost appointments. A wait of a few days for people to organise their lives and workplaces etc does not constitute a waiting list - merely shows some recognition and respect for the fact that patients have lives and responsibilities.