"Misdirected referral"

After a consultation with Dr Money-Kyrle at East Surrey, I was to be referred to Professor Langley at Guildford for a further consultation prior to making a decision on treatment for prostate cancer. At that stage, following scans and tests, I was advised that the cancer, an aggressive strain, was at present, contained within the prostate.

Having received no news of the ongoing appointment after three weeks, I telephoned East Surrey. I was advised that my referral letter was sent in early January. However, Professor Langley's office had no record of it or me. Further investigation and telephone calls revealed that the letter had been sent to the Cancer Unit at St Lukes Hospital instead of the Urology Unit at Royal Surrey.

It would therefore appear that the staff at St Lukes took no action when they received a letter not intended for their attention and presumably just sat on it for two weeks. In the meantime, I am wondering whether my condition is worsening because of this unnecessary delay caused by staff who on the face of it just couldn't be bothered. Having arranged to have the errant letter faxed to its correct destination,

I am now told I could possibly wait up to three further weeks for an appointment with Professor Langley. I am naturally anxious to get started on treatment for my condition, and ask for intervention to arrange an appointment as soon as possible.