"Excellent care but poor service at A&E Reception"

I had a tooth extracted on Wednesday 28 November. The next day a slight swelling developed on the side of my face which I put down to the effect of the tooth extraction and which did not give any problems. The day after that, it seemed to reduce slightly.

However, on Saturday 1 December, the swelling had greatly increased. Eventually I was given a 3.15 p.m. appointment at Oak House Dental Care Centre in Accrington. The dentist there was extremely concerned at the size and location of the swelling, and an X-ray revealed the presence of an abscess. He then contacted the consultant at Royal Blackburn and arranged for me to see him immediately upon my arrival at the hospital.

My wife and I arrived there at approximately 4.00 p.m. and handed over the documentation. We were told that someone would come and deal with us. Nothing happened and at 5.27 p.m. my wife phoned Oak House and spoke to the nurse there who then had a phone conversation with a member of the reception staff (the dental nurse has written an account of the conversation)

After that I eventually had my blood pressure and temperature taken, and was given two paracetamol tablets. It was not until 7.15 p.m. that we were taken up to the ward.

During our wait my wife went to reception to check on progress to be told that my name had been called. However, neither us nor anyone around us had heard my name being called out.

I cannot speak too highly of the treatment received from the consultant, but consider the length of time spent waiting to see him when an immediate appointment had been arranged, to be completely unacceptable