An Oxford book editor has accused NHS managers of using an appointment booking line to slow down outpatient consultations.

Bill MacKeith, 61, is due to see an ear nose and throat specialist at the city's John Radcliffe Hospital, but cannot arrange a meeting because he says the 0845 phone line is always either un- available or engaged.

Mr MacKeith, of Great Clarendon Street, Jericho, has tried ringing every day since January 18, when he received a letter inviting him to book an appointment via the dedicated call centre.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which oversees the JR, admitted there were problems with the line, which started when services moved to the Headington-based hospital from the Radcliffe Infirmary.

Father-of-three Mr MacKeith said: "The line either says We're very sorry this line is not working, please call later', or it tells you Please wait, we will answer your call as soon as possible', but I've waited and waited and never got through.

"The situation is batty, barmy and insulting. It's all in the name of patient choice, but is probably more of a cost-saving exercise.

"I think the hospital is just trying to slow things down and this is a way of cutting appoint- ments."

The 0845 patient appointment bureau operates from 8am-8pm during the week and 9am-5pm at weekends.

It was set up to allow patients to book convenient consultation times, in a bid to reduce the number of missed appointments, and was claimed to be as easy to use as booking a flight.

Mr MacKeith, who is treasurer of the Keep Our NHS Public Campaign, said: "I did get through to the ENT reception, where a woman at the other end said ENT appointments', but she wouldn't give me an appointment, and told me to ring the 0845 number. My response started as frustration, then shock and now I'm feeling very angry. My condition is minor, but other people may get very stressed about this if they have the same problem."

An ORH spokesman said: "The trust would like to apologise for any difficulties that patients may have experienced in using this service.

"The trust has recently relocated all services from the Radcliffe Infirmary to the John Radcliffe Hospital - this has included the relocation of the Patient Appointment Bureau, which has resulted in some technical and staffing difficulties.

"We're working to resolve these problems, but in the interim people may need to call several times before getting through.

"We'd also encourage people to call at evenings and weekends, as it will be easier to get through at these times."