Recent letters in The Argus highlight some of the issues facing the outpatient departments at the Royal Sussex County Hospital generally and the blood test department in particular.

I would like to apologise unreservedly for the delays recently experienced by patients and outline some of the improvements we are making.

Over the years demand for outpatient services has grown and the trust has endeavoured to meet the increased numbers of patients attending clinics in a variety of ways including extending opening hours and increasing available clinic space.

While this has improved circumstances for many patients, a more radical approach is required to reduce waiting times and improve the experience for patients.

The trust is therefore in the process of developing an outpatient improvement plan which will streamline the appointment process for patients and help alleviate the problems highlighted by your readers.

This will begin in the Autumn.

The trust is also committed to working closely with its partners in Primary Care and is looking to develop services in the community in conjunction with GPs.

The intention is to contain some of the demands on stretched hospital services and make the service more convenient to patients in appropriate settings.

We are always keen to hear from patients about how services can be improved.

-Gareth Hall, general manager Outpatient Services, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton