Oh my life. I have never had so many problems trying to deal with any company as with the NHS. The old referral system didn't seem to have any major problems that I could see, so why go and mess it all up with this new fangled system that, guess what, doesn't work?

Two weeks after seeing the GP I hadn't received a letter she said I should get within a few days, so I ring and speak to the receptionist. 'Oh no' she says, 'we write to the hospital and they write to you, it should take at least 6 weeks' (She's obviously thinking of the 'old' system). Fair enough, I thought, I'll just wait then.

Last week I received a 'reminder letter' saying I needed to book my hospital appointment as I hadn't yet done so, and that if I couldn't find my appointment request letter I should call the Choose and Book Appointments line. I couldn't find my request letter, because I'd never received it. I went to the GPs to ask if they still had a copy on file to be told 'no, once a referral has gone it's gone'. So I ring the number. 'Oh no, we can't help you without your ID and password which only your GP can give you'. Cue four more phone calls to both until eventually I get my username and password (another 5 days later).

So I've called the number to make my appointment. Can I make an appointment? No. Their systems are down, after already being on hold for 15 minutes before getting through, I'm told to try again later due to their 'technical problems'.

Has anyone found this system to actually work in a hassle free manner and be advantageous over the old one in any way??

And the saga goes on.........

Now their systems are working, and they've told me I need to phone another local number to make the appointment. I've been ringing constantly for the last hour and it's always engaged. Is this their new way of keeping waiting lists down, preventing people from getting appointments??

You may wish to listen to this...............http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/5029516.stm

You may wish to listen to this...............http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/5029516.stm

Very interesting. I finally got through - and they said 'now we know your referral is there we need a specialist to look at it to decide how urgent it is, we'll phone you back in a week's time'. How organised, not.

As far as I'm aware, you should get an appointment with the Consultant of your choice - while you are sat with your Doctor. The referral process should be immediate.

The GP accesses the screen and selects your appointment with the Consultant from a drop down list of appropriate times/dates/venues etc (based up on your choice)

I'm sorry to hear of your nightmare Twiglet. As with all new initiatives, there will be teething troubles. However, I think once those initial issues have been ironed out, 'Choose and book' will be a marvellous system.

Stagey x