I UNDERWENT surgery in September, 1998, after suffering with my spine for approximately 19 months. I attended the clinic for the second time in June this year to be told that I would have to attend a pain clinic because I was still in a lot of pain with my spine and my arm.

I received a letter from the health authority informing me that an appointment had been made for me at the pain clinic on December 22, 1999.

I think this is disgusting to say we have a National Health Service when a person in pain cannot get an appointment before December 22.

WILLIAM DUFFY, Hollins Street, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.