Hospital’s booking system ‘a shambles’

AN incensed patient has branded the Royal Oldham Hospital’s appointment service a ‘shambles’ after failing to get an appointment for two weeks.

Ian Smith, who has trouble walking, says he urgently needs foot surgery but can’t get an appointment because the hospital’s computer system has crashed.

The unemployed 55-year-old, formerly of Hollinwood, claims he called the Rochdale Road hospital around half a dozen times, only to be told repeatedly to call back.

Mr Smith, of Bankbottom, Glossop, said: “This has been going on for two weeks. I don’t know what is going on anymore.

“The first time I called, the woman in reception told me to ring after a couple of days and I did, but they still had the same problem.

“I have called umpteen times in the last two weeks but I’m having no luck.

“The service is a shambles and the hospital should have pulled out its finger sooner and sorted it out.

“There may be many more people suffering as I am. If the hospital knew the computers were going to crash there should have been a service in place beforehand to help people, like me, requiring orthopaedic surgery.”

It is believed the patient administration system developed a fault after June 16.

A spokesman for The Royal Oldham Hospital said: “Our electronic patient administration system developed a problem, and the supplier has been working hard with our own staff to address the issue. We are now in the process of restoring the system.

“During this time, we have used paper-based and other electronic systems.

“Obviously, this is slower than if the administration system was fully operational, so we have not been able to respond as quickly as usual to patients about their appointments.

“We are grateful to patients who have shown patience and we would apologise to any who have been inconvenienced during this time.”