HOW long should a seriously distressed 12-week-old baby wait to see a doctor at a hospital's accident and emergency department? One minute? Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? Think again. After two hours, ten minutes waiting at Fairfield Hospital, we left to get treatment from my local doctor.

On October 8, my daughter, the proud mother of twin girls, was visiting from Chester (the twins were born five weeks prematurely, the youngest weighing 2lb 8oz, and in need of an emergency operation. She spent six weeks in intensive care).

That morning, both girls had their 12-week injection and about 2.30pm, the younger twin became very distressed, crying incessantly. We checked the area where she had been injected and it had swollen to the size of a golf ball. Obviously, my daughter was very worried so, after consulting her doctor at length, we took the baby to A&E.

We arrived at 3.15pm and saw the triage nurse almost immediately. She was advised of the baby's medical history and expressed the view that she didn't look very distressed. At 4.10pm my wife arrived with the other twin who was also showing signs of an allergic reaction to the injection.

At 4.20pm I enquired of the triage nurse just how long a distressed 12-week-old baby should have to wait. I was told that she would have to "wait her turn" and was given the impression that there were more important patients and that the nurse did not feel that my grand-daughter was particularly distressed.

We waited a further 25 minutes before a doctor came and, after yet more delay while patient notes were collected and then again because a "situation" had arisen elsewhere, we eventually left at 5.25pm without seeing the doctor.

I am extremely annoyed and upset by the whole disgusting affair. It is scandalous and I seriously question the professional competence and ethics of the people involved. After discussing the incident with friends and colleagues, it appears that our experience is not an isolated one.

Just as a footnote to this tale of woe, about a month ago my daughter was staying in Shrewsbury and had need to take the elder daughter to the local A&E after she awoke covered in spots. There they rushed her in and a doctor gave her a thoroughly satisfactory examination immediately.

I reckon Shrewsbury is only about an hour-and-a-half away by car. Maybe it would have been quicker taking my grand-daughter there!

RAY ADAMS,

Henley Close,

Bury.