"Appointments system not fit for purpose"

When will the NHS learn to manage the booking of appointments more efficiently? It's quite simple really - receive referral from GP....book the appointment...tell the patient. What's difficult about that? Nothing, but North Tyneside General seem to have the ability to make it difficult. I phoned up to ask if they'd received the referral - yes, they received it two weeks ago. I then asked when I will receive note of the appointment - I'm told I will hear in a couple of weeks. Why? I go on to ask how soon after receiving notification of the appointment will it be before the actual appointment - answer, don't know! Add to this the totally indifferent attitude of the person I spoke with on the phone and most will see there is much room for improvement. For the benefit of the management, this is the year 2015. Please take a look at what is clearly an out-dated approach to run any service, let alone our health service.