My doctor sent me to Brighton Eye Hospital straight from the surgery.

She didn't know if it was an emergency or not so just wanted to be on the safe side.

She made the appointment there and then by phone for 1.30pm.

I arrived at 1.15pm and was seen by the triage nurse soon afterwards. I then had my drops put into my eyes. Three-and-a-half hours later, I was still waiting to see the doctor.

People were coming in after me and being seen so I asked the nurse what was going on, only to be told there were still seven people in front of me and I had another hour to wait.

So I walked out in disgust. Other people had waited even longer than I and were on the verge of doing the same.

Another instance happened in casualty last week. My grand-daughter, aged 14, was taken there because she had hurt her ankle.

Her mother was shocked to learn there was a twelve-hour wait so they went to Eastbourne, where the young girl was found to have broken her ankle.

What on Earth is going on in the NHS? Things are getting worse instead of better.

I am 66 and have paid a lot of money into the NHS over the years. Where has it all gone?

-Arthur Mitchell, Ashington Gardens, Peacehaven