Elderly patients being stonewalled by the NHS

SIR – Reading the letters (May 8) from people who have had to arrange their own medical scans reminded me to check on my mother, aged 93.

In a nursing home in Yorkshire, she had a biopsy taken last May and was scheduled to attend the outpatient clinic in August, but the appointment was cancelled in July. She has not received any notification of a rescheduled appointment.

I wrote to the hospital in January this year asking if she could be told her results over the phone. To date, neither of us has received a reply.

Keith Appleyard

West Wickham, Kent

SIR – Somerset is not the only NHS “dental desert” (report, May 9).

A few months ago, my dentist retired and the clinic closed. A month ago, I rang 15 dentists listed on Google as being in my town. About half are private-practice only – and, among the other half, none is taking NHS patients. Those with waiting lists are not accepting any additions to those lists.

I am a pensioner and have paid National Insurance all my working life. This situation is totally unacceptable and another example of the NHS being unfit for purpose.

Tom Dubec

Tunbridge Wells, Kent