ON the subject of the appointments system at York Hospital, it is a disgrace that I have to wait 17 weeks or more to get an appointment for the pain clinic.

My doctor has to see his patients within 48 hours. What is it coming to when my own doctor has done all possible for me as regards to pain relief?

I don't sleep very well on a night due to the excruciating pain in my back, neck and up into my head, and down the right hand side of body.

I thought the health minister was cutting the waiting list. I don't call 17 weeks a reasonable time to wait especially as I have been under the doctor for over three months with this problem.

Mrs J Johnson,

Middleton Road,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 09:58 Friday, October 21, 2005