A LITTLE while back, I read that the NHS was losing thousands of pounds as a result of appointments not being kept – ie hospitals not receiving notification of cancellations.

Well to tell the truth, I am not in the least surprised.

I recently attempted to call the number quoted to make such a cancellation for my wife, as she would be unable to fulfil the previously arranged appointment owing to the fact of now being in a nursing home.

Procedure as follows: A pre-recorded message detailing most everything I did not wish to know.

Then we came to the press one, press two and maybe three, then I was advised to hold and a person would answer my call as soon as possible.

Once more I was advised to hold and I was number eight in the queue.

I am sorry to say that I was unable to wait that length of time and placed the receiver down in disgust.

That is why appointments are missed, costing the NHS thousands of pounds and also wasting callers’ time and money.

I think they should get their finger out and deal with the matter in hand.

RICHARD LOUCH Bayswater Road Headington Oxford