THE immense problems facing Britain's National Health Service are humanised by the experience of pensioner Philip Thomas-Peter.

During an eye examination his optician noticed a problem with one of his retinas, and he was referred to York District Hospital. The hospital responded by booking him an appointment - in November 2002.

Mr Thomas-Peter faced an 18-month wait for an initial consultation. That is scandalous. He has cancelled the appointment, commenting that "it is within the realms of possibility that I could be dead by then".

No one at the hospital will feel anything other than understanding at his anger and frustration. These are emotions shared by doctors and nurses.

People choose to work in the health service precisely because they wish to help people like Mr Thomas-Peter. But the medical staff and patients are being let down by years of NHS under-funding.

The lack of resources forces consultants to make agonising choices, as our Fight For Sight campaign revealed.

When deciding who should be the priority for vision-restoring cataract surgery, doctors often have to choose between the younger patient whose job depends on his sight; and the older patient who needs the operation to see his grandchildren for the first time.

This is not how it was meant to be. Mr Thomas-Peter has paid into the National Health Service all his life. When it was established, he was assured the NHS would provide him with treatment from the cradle to the grave. Like so many others of his generation, he feels cheated.

York District Hospital bosses recognised their eye-care provision was not good enough in the wake of Fight For Sight. They fought for, and won, money to create a new ophthalmology department. This should significantly reduce waiting times.

It comes too late for Mr Thomas-Peter, however. His treatment - or lack of it - only serves to underline the need for massive extra investment in the NHS by the next Government.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, May 24, 2001