"First appointment for cataract assessment 3..."

I checked in at 13.30 and my appointment was completed at 1600. A very busy clinic, rather like a production line- I'm not sure how an older person would have coped with all the changes, different faces, and explanations. I saw five staff in total, all very efficient and mostly pleasant given the pressures they were working under (I have been front line clinical staff in the NHS for 40 years, so it was interesting to be on the "other" side) All was fine until I saw the consultant - totally lacking in interpersonal skills and quite dismissive when answering my questions.

An example- the first question he asked me was "How is this affecting your life?" then turned away to deal with something else and speak to another member of staff. I had to point out to him, when he turned back that I hadn't had the opportunity to answer his first question. I felt there was no engagement from him-not a good scenario for having confidence in the system as a whole and that my reasonable and sensible questions had been inadequately answered.

Please convey my thanks to all the other staff- they are amazing given the current demands on the service.