SIR – I had to attend the outpatient department at St Luke’s last week. My appointment was for 4pm.

The waiting area was very small, and full of people waiting to be seen.

At 4pm a lady stood up and asked the nurse what time she would be seen, as her appointment time was 2.30pm. No apology was given, but she was seen shortly afterwards.

This lady was, quite rightly, ready for leaving if she was not seen soon. How many other people would have walked out?

Perhaps this is one reason for the high number of missed appointments.

S Briggs, Mendip Way, Bradford