Waiting for a blood test

Madam, – On Wednesday morning I visited my GP, who recommended that I should have a routine blood test

Madam, – On Wednesday morning I visited my GP, who recommended that I should have a routine blood test. I rang my local hospital, Beaumont, to make an appointment. I was told that the earliest date for a public patient appointment for a fasting blood test was 11.30am on September 10th, 2010.

Does Minister for Health Mary Harney consider this to be acceptable in a health service over which she presides? – Yours, etc,

LOUIS O’FLAHERTY,

Lorcan Drive,

Santry,

Dublin 9.