"Short Notice appointments"

I was due a routine appt ENT (6monthly) for treatment. The appointment letter arrived yesterday, (correct month). So far so good, However the appt was booked for 2 weeks time, it clashed with an equally important appointment the I already had booked some months ago. I telephoned the appointment line within minutes of receiving the appointment letter. After waiting 20 minutes on the appointment line queue I was told the earliest appointment was March! ! ! If I had received more notice it would had been possible to rearrange my other appointment.

It feels unnecessarily punitive to go to the bottom of the appointment queue when you are given such a short notice appointment.

I feel so so so very frustrated. Why can't ENT treat its service users as adults? For example a more efficient way for a routine appointment to be booked would be to send letters 6 weeks to a month before the appt is due inviting them to phone to make an appointment? Or better still be able to book routine appointments on line.

For example my GP surgery makes better use of its limited resources by using them more efficiently. I can make appointments on line, telephone, or by visiting the surgery, When booking on line I can chose which GP I see and have the option of seeing a nurse practitioner. I have access to my medical records and can order prescriptions on line. On line consultations are also available and I can send non urgent messages on line also.

Why can't ENT appointments be more responsive to the needs of service users?

I know all the excuses about staff shortages but that's not the issue, it's about making better use of resources. My GP practice has staff shortages - GP sickness, but still manages to deliver an excellent service.

If St Mary's ENT appointment system feels it needs to stay with its antiquated, one size fits all, appointment system, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give us more notice! ! ! !