"Great staff and hospital, shame about the..."

I attended the Breast Clinic twice in the past three weeks following a very efficient referral system by my GP. I was treated with respect and dignity at all times and found all the staff considerate and approachable - the mammographer even managed to make me laugh during a painful procedure - thank you!!

My only gripe with the whole system has been attempting to make an appointment to receive the results of my mammogram. I was handed a piece of paper by the Breast Clinic receptionist with a New QEII Appointments telephone number which I tried numerous times over several days following the mammogram. The number rang 30/40 times and then just cut off - very frustrating given the potential implications of the results I was trying to get! I then phoned the Breast Clinic who gave me the main Outpatients Appointments number which I know from numerous previous experiences is a nightmare to get through on. On my fifth attempt I got through at number 23 in the queue (an unusually low number) and stuck it out for the 34 minutes it then took to be answered. I now have my appointment but will, in future, refuse to leave any hospital without my next appointment made and a confirmation letter in hand.