I have been waiting for a few weeks for a non urgent urology appointment. Yesterday I received a letter from the Manchester integrated care gateway inviting me to ring them which I did today. The person I spoke to said I had a choice of three hospitals and naturally I chose the nearest only to be told that they had no appointments available. I then chose another hospital which was on a nearby bus route to be told they also had no appointments. I then asked for an appointment any time anywhere to be told there were no appointments and they could forward my details to the hospital of my choice and they would contact me when they had an appointment.
Now maybe I am a bit thick but why are we paying for an extra tier when previously the medical practice sent the referral request directly to the Hospital of your choice or the Doctors recommended choice? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Good Morning Sunday 7th June 2026


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