"minor problem consultation"

My 10am appointment ran over an hour late, though the information board said there were no delays. A five minute consultation was followed by another hour and a bit queue for x-ray, then back to the consultant for a decision, that I should try to live with the problem but to come back if it got worse. All fair enough - I am over 70 and medical practitioners aren't magicians. The Conquest is clearly sorely understaffed - empty reception desks, harrased admin staff running back and forth, their effectiveness dependent on the around to goodwill they've got, their willingness to go the extra mile. The radiologist was efficient, patient, courteous and - like the equally considerate young consultant. My only gripe is that a four hour visit to learn there was nothing that could be done for me cost £5 in parking fees - quite a lot when you're retired. I suggest that parking costs for outpatients are linked to the time a consultation should take on average if it takes place on time. Being charged extra to be kept waiting (ultimately because of political dogma and tax avoidance by those who can afford it most, and owe most to this country) seems entirely unjustified.