SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has called for action to address protracted postage delays impacting the BT47 and BT48 areas.
It is understood that Royal Mail staff have been advised to prioritise parcels over letters which has seen letters undelivered and sitting in Sorting Offices for days.
Mr Durkan has been liaising with Royal Mail to resolve the matter and has asked that the Western Trust make alternative communication arrangements in the interim to ensure that patients do not miss out on long awaited hospital appointments.
Said the Foyle MLA: “My office has been inundated with complaints from constituents across the city about the sporadic delivery of letters.
“The issue will be compounded over the busy festive period but it has been a problem for the last few years.
“I’ve spoken to one lady anxiously awaiting an appointment for cancer diagnostic tests.
“Her appointment letters arrived late on four different occasions resulting in her missing vital screening which has only served to exacerbate her worry at a tough time.
“It’s estimated that each missed hospital appointment in Northern Ireland costs the health service £108.
“This is wholly unacceptable, especially at a time when the health service is experiencing such severe pressures.
“I’ve reached out to the Western Trust to ask if their booking team can call patients directly to confirm appointments until this issue is resolved.
“The communication from Royal Mail has been woeful to date.
“They have assured me that the matter is being investigated but despite reaching out on several occasions, I’m yet to receive any response.
“This situation if of course no reflection on the stellar efforts of postal workers, who continue to battle against poor pay and tough working conditions – the problem has been created by a complete lack of investment in Royal Mail.
“I’ll continue to push to see this situation resolved as soon as possible.”
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