A woman said she is "a bit dumbstruck" after wrongly being told she would have to wait a year for a hospital appointment.

Elaine Chambers was referred to the Royal Free Hospital by her GP in May for a skin condition that requires a simple allergy test.

When she called, she was 47th in the telephone queue – and when she finally got through she was told the waiting list for dermatology appointments was 52 weeks.

When the Ham & High contacted the hospital, it apologised and said this was an "error" and the waiting time is actually 22 to 24 weeks – with an appointment due in September.

Elaine, who lives in Swiss Cottage, said: "I'm a bit dumbstruck by this. They are not denying it but I don't think that woman was making a mistake that day."

She believes her complaint meant she was moved up the queue, and directed her anger at hospital trust CEO Pete Landstrom, despite acknowledging that he has "inherited the problem", having taken up the post in October 2023.

She said: "I need an explanation from the CEO of what on earth's going on. It shouldn't have been left to get to this state and special privileges to people who put their head above the parapet isn't the answer to the question 'what the hell are you up to?'"

Elaine has urticaria, a form of hives, which causes hot and sticky strips on her skin.

She has been prescribed antibiotics and antihistamines, but breakouts often disappear by the time she sees a GP so she hopes the hospital can identify the cause to prevent future flare-ups.

She said: "They throw medicine at you before looking at the cause of the injury, which just provides money for the pharmaceutical companies. I just need a simple allergy test.

"This is not about me. It's about a general person in the general public out there coping with the mess the NHS is in." 

A trust spokesperson thanked Elaine for bringing the issue to their attention.

 "Thanks to the continued hard work of our staff, we have made significant progress in reducing patient waiting times, including within dermatology," they added.

"For routine dermatology appointments at the Royal Free Hospital, waiting times are currently 22 to 24 weeks and we apologise that incorrect information was provided on this occasion."