I am 89 years old and on February 21, suffering from psoriasis and rheumatism, I was due to call at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital for consultation with my medical professor.

I had to miss this appointment because when I woke up, my blood pressure was very low and I was feeling rather weak.

The following Monday, on February 24, I phoned to explain myself and ask for another appointment. The lady at the other end told me that appointments cannot be given on the phone and that I had to “call at the hospital with the visiting card so that an appointment could be made”.

It seems to me that such an attitude is rather cruel to us old people, especially when there is so much talk about respecting the elderly.

Surely a simple telephone call could prevent such a waste of time as well as problems for us who find it difficult to walk and to park?