"The hospital is very modern, bright ..."

What I liked

The hospital is very modern, bright and well-equipped but the appointments system does not match up to the promise.

What could be improved

The system for booking appointments needs considerable improvement. After receiving a diagnosis of Dupuytren's Contracture from my GP on 25 August I expected to see a specialist at the earliest appointment I was offered (26 October) but only saw a general orthopaedic doctor. I therefore requested an appointment with the hand specialist for the Hampshire PCT and was told that they were busy for the whole of November. I therefore agreed reluctantly to see another consultant today (23 November) at the Milford War Memorial Hospital, only to discover that they were 'a knee man not a hand man' and I needed to see 'a specialist hand team' (as my GP had advised as early as 25 August). I am now therefore back to the start of the queue to see a hand specialist and I fully expect to be told they cannot see me now until after Christmas. My considered opinion? The hospital may be great, but the appointments system is simply not fit for purpose.