I’ve had problems with my post for 15 years

I READ with interest the letters saying that a few people are having problems with postal deliveries recently.

I smile when the national press says the service is dropping to less deliveries that the six a week at present.

Firstly, I have had serious issues with the postal service for about 15 years.

Secondly, I believe the number of deliveries to my address in Wash Common dropped to about two a week but it appears to have increased slightly recently.

It all started when I developed diabetes about 15 years ago and had to have yearly hospital eye check appointments.

I missed so many appointments because I did not receive the appointment letters.

This has not improved, so I now phone them to check if any letters have been sent just before the month for my normal appointment.

I estimate I receive about 20 per cent of letters from the Wokingham Hospital that deals with that subject.

No, that is not a typo, I do miss 80 per cent.

We have checked that they have my address correct and they do. I have phoned them up again today to find another one is missing.

And the Government want to charge patients who don’t turn up to appointments!

Some NHS letters do arrive.

The ones from my Newbury surgery are postmarked Bath and they never seem to fail.

The situation is the same with letters from BT.

My landline was cut off the other year because four letters in a row from them never arrived, including the bill.

I have put in two official complaints.

All the Post Office says is that the sender should complain.

But how can the sender complain on letters I do not know I have failed to receive?

I complained to our MP.

She expressed that she was sorry but said there is little she could do.

I have started recording a list of what post I do receive and on what date.

I have identified certain trends. Magazines, CDs and packages seem to always arrive safely.

The exception to that was bowel test kits which were sent twice and none received.

I get quite a few letters from Clacton and they always arrive safely.

My evidence shows it seems to depend on where the letters come from.

I do not blame the local postmen, all of whom I get on well with and are always very helpful.

This is all very frustrating and worrying especially as I now get at least one appointment a month at a hospital.

RICHARD JOLLIFFE

Wash Common