LAST Thursday I was with a friend when he received a letter from the hospital requiring him to make an appointment regarding an MRI scan for possible neurological cancer, which came as a shock.

Contained in the letter was a phone number he had to ring to make the appointment.

After trying most of the morning and afternoon, all he got was “the number you require is not available, please try later”.

I advised him to phone the hospital department direct.

This he did, only to be told the number contained in the letter had not been in use for several years.

How could this happen?

Indeed, how many other people received similar letters and gave up on that number?

It is a serious mistake to make which could have serious consequences for the recipient.

Of course as recent events show, when called upon the NHS steps up to the mark and excels itself. At times, like any organisation, it can and does make mistakes.

I just wonder if similar letters with that number are still be sent out.

Peter Fallon

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