Steve, in 2006 I needed my gall-bladder removed and a pancreatic pseudo-cyst drained by open surgery. It too three weeks from my first consultation with the specialist who diagnosed the condition, to the operation being carried out. It now takes me four weeks to get to see my doctor or my diabetic nurse-practitioner.

There’s something wrong when this situation exists yet we can afford £100,000,000,000 for a high-speed railway line that hardly any of us will ever use.