Sir - The QEII – couldn t run a switchboard in a telephone exchange! This morning I tried to phone the QEII to find out about getting a blood test. The main number given on their website (a Stevenage number) was the switchboard. I phoned it. It was engag

Sir - The QEII - couldn't run a switchboard in a telephone exchange!

This morning I tried to phone the QEII to find out about getting a blood test. The main number given on their website (a Stevenage number) was the switchboard. I phoned it. It was engaged!

How on earth can a hospital have its main switchboard engaged? The other number was "PALS" (whatever that is). I phoned it. There was an answerphone. Call this customer services? I don't!

The hospital wants to be an independent NHS Trust, yet it can't even run a switchboard, post direct line phone numbers on its website or provide helpful information like the opening times of the blood test service! On the other hand from a customer service point of view things can only get better - even local councils manage better customer services than this.

Paul Orrett

The Old Drive, WGC