SIR – Regarding the article in the Telegraph & Argus about missed hospital appointments (June 17). While agreeing that missed appointments are not acceptable, I would like to point out that it is not always the fault of the patient.

On Tuesday, June 10, I received two letters changing an existing appointment for Monday, June 16, to Monday, June 9. One was sent first class, the other second class and both franked with the postmark June 9.

I think you would agree that it is beyond anyone’s capabilities to turn up for an appointment on the day before they are made aware of there being one.

I would have been overjoyed at my appointment being a week earlier than expected and would most certainly have attended.

The ensuing telephone calls to the hospital are another story and equally absurd.

It is all very well castigating people for failing to keep appointments but surely some of the responsibility must rest with the appointment staff, sending out appointments which are impossible to keep.

Wendy Heywood, Hughenden Drive, Thornton, Bradford