APPOINTMENTS: More planning is required

Ringing the physiotherapy department in Alnwick the other day to book an appointment, the first date offered was for exactly four weeks later.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Mar 2017, 10:30 BST

Updated 24th Mar 2017, 09:46 BST

When I inquired why, I was told that March was a bad month, with people off on training or on annual leave as they have to take it before the end of March.

Now it is far from me to suggest that hardworking NHS staff should forego their holidays, but surely it can be done with a bit of forward planning. The reply was that they would try.

Can I strongly suggest that to make up for faults at the planning stage, somebody in authority should take responsibility and override the end of March deadline rule, if only to ‘Put Patients First’?

Where have I read this slogan again?

Name and address supplied

Alnwick NHS