Post delays blamed for missed hospital appointments

Residents in parts of Shropshire claim delayed postal deliveries have left customers without bank cards, some patients missing hospital appointments and post held up for several weeks.

Judie Fox, from Whitchurch, said she missed two hospital appointments because letters had not arrived in time. Rob Chapman, also from Whitchurch, said he waited more than seven weeks for his new bank card to be delivered.

Catherine Simpson, from Market Drayton, said her friend's husband waited for six months for a hospital appointment, but when he received a letter, he couldn't get there.

Royal Mail said while this was a very busy period, the vast majority of letters and parcels were being delivered on time.

After she missed appointments, Ms Fox said: "It's annoying for me, healthwise, but also the delays at the hospital. Other people could have used those appointments."

Mr Chapman first noticed there was an issue in September or October.

"Last Friday, we had I think what was probably most of November's post delivered," he said.

He said one woman missed an appointment for cancer treatment.

Kenny Bold, who works in Timpson on Whitchurch High Street, said key replacements had been held up by a month.

He said he resorted to collecting post from the sorting office, but said it was only open for two hours each morning.

Ms Simpson said: "A lot of older people don't even have a smartphone, so they can't get texts.... they just don't have this facility and so it makes them very vulnerable."

Whitchurch West councillor Sho Abdul organised a survey after a surge in complaints.

"The most common response has been people missing out on bank cards, people missing out on bills that they need to pay," he said.

He said the rural area had an elderly demographic and many people did not use their card and mobile phone in the same way people did in cities.

Two women missed cancer treatment, which was "inexcusable", he added.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We know how important letters and parcels are in the run-up to Christmas, and while this is a very busy period, the vast majority are delivered on time.

"Where a route is affected, our teams work to resolve any delays as quickly as possible.

"Last year, 99% of items posted by the last recommended posting dates were delivered in time for Christmas, and our teams are focused on maintaining that level of service again this year."

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