Epsom General Hospital 2018-08-30 Person 2 5 0

I attend the ENT dept for treatment to my ears. This should be every 2 months. I had an appointment in February this year and again at the end of May. The consultant asked me to make an appointment for 2 months time. The department was unable to give me an appointment on the day, which was quite normal as appointments were controlled by St. Helier's hospital. I usually receive a letter a few weeks later. On this occasion I had heard nothing by early July and called St. Helier. They did not have an appointment for me and suggested I accept a booking for 13th September. I was told that accepting the appointment would get me on the system and they could then put me on a list for patients who could be contacted to fill in when an appointment is cancelled by someone else. The lady I spoke with was pleasant and was trying to help. I heard nothing more in the following month and by mid August I called patient care at Epsom who tried but could not help. I finally received a call yesterday bringing forward my appointment to September 5th. I am supposed to be seen every 2 months. I have been seen once (late May) in the past 6 months. I have had 3 ear infections in the past 3 months! Epsom hospital ENT dept cannot cope with their workload. It does not save the NHS money because I keep going back to my GP surgery for courses of antibiotics. The infections also spread to my eyes adding to my discomfort and the GP's workload