MY dad recently had a small lump removed from his head.

The procedure was carried out at Darlington Memorial Hospital and we live about five minutes’ walk away.

However, we then had to travel to the University Hospital of North Durham each week for his dressing to be changed – a 40- minute journey each way with impossible parking.

Now he has been given a postoperative appointment at Bishop Auckland hospital. So for one relatively straightforward procedure we have had to attend three different hospitals – absolute madness. It would appear that the NHS is being run for the convenience of staff because this certainly isn’t for the convenience of patients and their relatives.

I have written to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to complain about the way it is shuttling patients about. I don’t know if this will do any good but if we don’t speak out, I fear things will just go from bad to worse.

Name and address supplied.