A DOCTOR has condemned services at a North-East hospital as "on the edge of breakdown" after a seriously ill patient had an appointment delayed three times in a year.

Dr Andy Dawson, of the General Medical Centre, in Hartlepool, wrote to the chief executive of the University Hospital of Hartlepool to express his concern at the state of the respiratory and urology departments.

He was reacting to the news that one of his patients, who has a rare lung disease, has had his appointment to see a respiratory consultant delayed by five months for the third time.

The patient has told Dr Dawson he will travel to another hospital and see a different consultant if it will mean he will get his six monthly appointments on time.

The Northern Echo has received a copy of Dr Dawson's letter to the chief executive, Joan Rogers, in which he said there were insufficient staff at the hospital to cope with demand.

He claims staffing at the respiratory unit has been cut from two consultants and junior staff to just one consultant and a part-time house officer.

He said: "You will understand that the workload of a respiratory physician in any town, but particularly in the this town where most of the population smoke, is heavy."

Dr Dawson went on to say extra clinics had been organised, but with more than 100 patient consultations already requested, and more coming in daily, there was little chance of everyone being seen.

He said: "Very clearly the department needs urgent assistance and input to prevent the service from grinding to a halt altogether."

In his letter Dr Dawson also complained about problems with the urology department which has no permanent consultant and leaves some patients waiting over a year for an out-patient appointment.

He said: "I am told general surgeons are considering refusing to see new patients because there is no prospect of getting these patients through the operating theatres for the treatment they need.

"Very clearly, the provision of medical and surgical services at Hartlepool General is teetering on the edge of breakdown and urgent remedial action is necessary."

No one at the hospital was available to comment on the allegations.