Diabetic man, from Barton Mills, speaks of Royal Mail parcel delay woes affecting residents in Mildenhall area which have Bury St Edmunds in postal address

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/mildenhal ... w-9352630/

A diabetic man from a Suffolk village has complained that delays to delivering his insulin parcels due to Royal Mail inefficiencies could be dangerous.

David Smith, 69, of Barton Mills, said the issue affects hundreds of people who live in the Mildenhall area and carry Bury St Edmunds in their postal address but do not actually live in the town.

He said Royal Mail read the address instead of the postcode and, as a result, the parcel goes back and forth between the Chelmsford sorting hub and Bury, before Bury is eventually crossed out with a black pen and the parcel is then delivered late.

David Smith of Barton Mills has become frustrated by the late Royal Mail deliveries. Picture: David SmithDavid Smith of Barton Mills has become frustrated by the late Royal Mail deliveries. Picture: David Smith
“It's quite staggering and it honestly leaves me speechless. No one has taken action, apologised or looked at the issue,” Mr Smith said.

“It's a very personal problem for me, but the actual problem exists for hundreds of people in the area who are relying on Royal Mail.

“I am frustrated that nobody is willing to accept responsibility.”

Bury St Edmunds is crossed out with a black pen. Picture: David SmithBury St Edmunds is crossed out with a black pen. Picture: David Smith
The problem was made worse as Mr Smith is diabetic and takes an insulin injection which needs to be kept cool and the medicine becomes useless if the times are not met.

“With my insulin, it is expensive to the NHS and dangerous to the patient if it is delivered late,” Mr Smith said.

“My personal problem was exacerbated last year when I took the medicine. It was ordered online as it was much more efficient then going to my local pharmacy where I had to queue, and they didn't have it in stock, so I had to go back two days later again.

“For a couple years, ordering online worked fine but something happened last year and now there is something that is broken.”

“It needs somebody to physically go and look at what's happening between Chelmsford and Bury.”

A number of residents in West Suffolk have also complained on Nextdoor, including someone from Mildenhall who said: “It has happened to me at least three times including one parcel that went north and finally turned up a week later.”

A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said: “The vast majority of letters and parcels we deliver are done so successfully and on time, with our latest published data showing three quarters of first-class mail arriving the following day, and 96 per cent within three days of posting."

[Jb1969]

RM are now happy to quote openly that 75% of 1st class mail arrives next day against a target of 98%.
It would appear they are immune to any actions or punishment lest a fine at the end of financial year.

[wallan]

The next complaint will be the Local Pharmacy is Closing due to Lack Of Use

[goneaway]

The next complaint will be the Local Pharmacy is Closing due to Lack Of Use

Hardly, pharmacies have recently been required to take on routine work that has been done by GP surgeries in the past.

[wallan]

He is unhappy with the service the Local Pharmacy is providing

[BenacreNick]

If i lived in Barton Mills or Mildenhall, i wouldn't display Bury St Edmunds as part of my address.

If Mr Smith adopted this approach - i think things would improve massively for him and others.