APPOINTMENTS at two Liverpool hospitals were disrupted after patients’ medical records were transferred on to a new computer system.

Some patients with an appointment at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen hospitals were turned away when they arrived to see their doctor.

The two hospitals launched their new multi-million pound patient administration system about two weeks ago to try to improve the service they offer to the public.

Health bosses yesterday insisted the set-up was tested rigorously to iron out any glitches, with more than 4,000 staff going through extensive training.

But a number of out- patients complained of problems, including long delays, as staff struggled to locate their hospital records.

Disabled mother-of-two Dawn Bleasdale arrived to see a consultant at Broadgreen hospital, only to be told she did not have an appointment.

The retired nurse, from Clubmoor, was later kept waiting at the Royal because staff could not find her notes.

Mrs Bleasdale, who suffers from arthritis, asthma and acid reflux, said: "I was sent a letter to go to hospital, but when I got to Broadgreen to see a consultant, I did not have an appointment. I have a lot of health problems and it was vital that I was seen. The staff apologised and blamed it on a new computer system."

A spokesman for the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen hospitals NHS trust admitted "a few glitches" with the new system had led to the "overbooking of some out- patient clinics".

She added: "We believe this has affected only a handful of people, and we have technical experts investigating and rectifying the problems.

"Overall, our new system was brought in extremely successfully, and we are delighted our staff have adapted so well.

"In the case of Mrs Bleasdale, she did not receive her cancellation letter and attended her original appointment, which is where the confusion occurred."