Making blood boil

The system always worked well for me. I would receive a letter telling me when the next session was and I would turn up on said date at my local parish hall. However, in their wisdom, the National Blood Service decided to introduce an appointment system in order to stop people waiting too long to donate, which sounds like a good idea. The problem is occurring now that when I am invited to attend a session, I ring for an appointment only to be told that there are no appointments left and I will have to wait till the next session, or go to an alternative venue in the Worthing area. I normally go to Lancing Parish Hall but in recent times have donated at a church hall in Tarring Road, Field Place, and the Charmandean Centre, two or three weeks after my original donation was due. I realised what was happening the last time I made a donation '“ as people were leaving, they were being invited to make an appointment for the next session 14 weeks away, which means that by the time people are invited to attend, most of the appointments will be gone. I really feel this is a worthwhile thing to do, but as I drive for a living and travel distances, I cannot commit several weeks in advance as I am not sure where I will be. It was much easier when I could just turn up and take my place in the queue. Incidentally, the appointments are very seldom adhered to and on each occasion, I have still had a lengthy wait. When I spoke to the area manager, his answer to the appointments system was to gauge roughly how much blood would be collected from each session, which does make sense, but they need to ask how much more they would collect if they also had some open sessions, or booked only a few appointments. It certainly is causing me a lot of aggravation and I`m sure I`m not the only one. Jackie McIntosh Finches Close Lancing NOTE: All letters must include a name and address. Write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA, or email the Herald. ------------------------------------- Click here for more readers' letters. Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here. Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk Click here for the Herald staff directory. Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.