I FEEL obliged to declare that ageism is alive and kicking in Atherton.

On Wednesday, April 9, I had to ring my husband's GP practice to ask for an appointment. I was told to ring back at 11am, which I duly did, and was told he could see a doctor at 1.45pm.

Unfortunately, I had an appointment to keep myself. As his full time carer, I usually go with him.

He is almost 81 years old and got the time wrong and got to the surgery at 1.58pm. They told him he was late and he would have to wait for them to ring him later to give him another appointment. As a long-serving nursing officer, he felt demoralised that his forgetfulness had lost him an appointment.

It seems we should not be allowed to make mistakes at 81 years old, despite being told he has to wait when the doctors are running late.

Mrs P Bridge Salters Court Atherton