Rebecca Porter says both her son Thomas's appointments were cancelled without notice – including one instance where the consultant was on holiday.

And she says no-one gave her any advance warning, despite already giving staff her telephone number.

Thomas – who almost died after a breech birth – undergoes regular check-ups.

The first cancellation was at the paediatric clinic while the second concerned an appointment at the hospital's eye clinic.

Mrs Porter said: "We got there well before time but the clinic was completely closed – we were knocking on the glass doors for a while. Eventually we went to the children's ward and they told us the appointment had been called off because the consultant was busy on the ward. I'd been given no notice and when I got back home there was no message on my answerphone."

Two days later Mrs Porter and Thomas returned to the hospital for a scheduled eye appointment. She said: "We sat there for an hour before we were told the doctor was on holiday. I was angry – I'd had to take Thomas out of nursery school and arrange childcare for his twin brother James. If the doctor was on holiday they must have known about it in advance, so why didn't they tell us?

"It's difficult trying to prepare a three-year-old for a hospital appointment – they find it very scary. Thomas has been having headaches since June or July and I'm really worried.

"On all the letters the hospital send you they warn that missed appointments cost money – so what's their excuse?"

A hospital spokesman said: "A letter to reschedule a paediatric appointment for this patient was sent out on September 29. We have apologised to Mrs Porter for her unnecessary journey and have now brought forward this appointment. With regard to the ophthalmology appointment, this patient was seen at their scheduled clinic appointment. However, it was not possible for a full assessment to be made at this time. Another appointment has now been made."

Mrs Porter denies she was seen by a doctor on her second visit to the hospital