It is wholly neglectful that Mrs F Singleton of Hove (Letters, May 25) should be brushed off without a thorough medical examination at once.

To have pain on eating solid food and to be losing weight are key symptoms for further investigations now - certainly not in 27 weeks (six months - shameful).

In the meantime, she must insist on an appointment with another consultant who will see her sooner.

The irony is, if she could afford to pay for a private consultation, she would be seen tomorrow.

Mrs Singleton's local chemist may be able to help meanwhile. Explain the situation to the pharmacist in charge, not the assistant on the till. Liquid nutrition such as Complan or the equivalent gives you an easily-digested meal and, nowadays, there are lots of flavours. It is vital she keeps her strength and does not lose more weight.

Please contact me through The Argus if I can be of any more help.

-Stella Cockran, Hassocks