"Bring back the old appointments system!"

Received a letter to book an appointment for the pain clinic. Rang promptly through to the appointments centre where upon I was greeted by an automated message informing me I was 23rd in the queue with an approx waiting time of 30minutes!

I work full time and did not have the opportunity to hold for so long plus the cost to an 0844 number!

I tried in vain for a week and a half to be met with the same message I even left a voicemail in hope someone would contact me but to no avail! Then I received a second letter informing me if I do not book within the next few days I would be discharged back to my own GP!

Please bring back the old system of just sending out appointments it is far easier and less time consuming. I'm all for patient choice, well my choice is just send me the appointment- it caused me so much stress.

I live with chronic pain and need to be reviewed not sent back to my GP who cannot control my symptoms hence why I am under the pain team. In the end I had to hold for 23 minutes before I secured an appointment! Not impressed one iota!