Frederick is fed up with long wait for doctor (From Gazette)

Frederick is fed up with long wait for doctor

10:00am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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A PENSIONER has been waiting five months to be seen by a specialist at Colchester General Hospital because of staffing shortages.

Frederick Ratcliffe, of Peldon Road, Abberton, has been waiting see a doctor at the Turner Road hospital since October.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust says the staffing issues in the urology speciality have been resolved.

But, the 82-year-old is angry appointments were cancelled.

Mr Ratcliffe, who worked as a hospital porter for 25 years, said he was outraged when his follow-up appointment concerning a problem with his prostate was cancelled for the second time last month.

He said: “It seems as though my appointments are being put back, while others are put first.

“I know my appointment may not be as urgent as others, but I’m not getting any younger and I would like to get it out of the way.”

Mr Ratcliffe, who suffers from a number of health problems, including heart disease, says he was not given a reason for the cancellations.

He said: “That is why I am fed up – because you get letter after letter cancelling the appointment and they give no reason.

“Having worked for the health authority, I know they are good at massaging figures, but not very good at looking after people.”

Mr Ratcliffe is now due at the hospital tomorrow.

Julian Greaves, specialist surgery service manager, said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Ratcliffe for the unavoidable postponement of the follow-up out-patient appointments.

“These were both because of staffing issues in the urology speciality, which have now been resolved, and we look forward to seeing him later this week.”