I must be lucky, or live in the right area, as I do not understand all the NHS appointment shortages/delays - now it's dentist appointments it seems.
Couple of months ago I was asked if I wanted my eye operated on, and in two weeks it was done.
Last week I had a tooth go very bad with an abscess, but my dentist said he would have to refer me on to a private dental surgeon. This was done, but the appointment was for in the first week of August, which was a bit worrying, and when the anti-biotics didn't clear it up, I rang the surgeon's practice, telling them I was in pain etc. and the following Friday (last week) I was in, had the tooth extracted and abscess cleared from my jaw.
AND, when I went to pay, they said no charge as it was an NHS referral.
What can I say - a bargain, and no problem with the NHS in my area.