howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
every so often we get regaled with this and how it costs the n.h.s.
most people arrive well before their appointment time but still have to wait, i have never been called in early.
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19390657howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#3
Taking only a few of the surplus eggs from the pudding...
1 in 10 of the outpatients appointments 'fail' through the identifiable fault of the patient. There is understanding that 'stuff' happens, nevertheless we are left in no doubt that when there is a no-show the staff are left idle and completely at a loss as to how best to use the time freed-up. Far better, it seems, to account for this time at the highest rate imaginable and thus lay the responsibility for a large proportion of any shortfall in efficiency at the door of the patient.
I do not have a great deal to do with hospital outpatient departments myself, but through these very pages I have gleaned that dealing with hospitals can be very frustrating from the patients' point of view.
I am sure we all see that keeping an eye on things is a very good idea. I would rather there was less 'egg' involvement though.
What is the NHS for if not as a Political Football to kick?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Alec Sheldon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 18 Aug 2008
- Posts: 1,037
#4
I have a PSA blood test every three months at Buckland Hospital. I always arrive early and more often than not I am seen early. The last one I had was in July and I was back on the bus to the town before my appointment time all done and dusted. I asked the nurse why people don't turn up and she told me if it was bad weather there were a lot of missed appointments.
Guest 650- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 542
#5
The other side is that the nhs can and do make multiple appointments for the same time. So you all turn up for that time, only to sit for extended periods waiting to be seen. They may well be doing this to cover any no-shows, but on the other hand not everyone can continue to wait, especially when there is no assurance as to when one can actually be seen. This system is particularly problematic when attending with small children, and it's something in my experience that has gone on for decades.
Having said that, my view is that it is most discourteous to have an appointment and then not to turn up and not at least try to contact the relevant department to inform them you can't be there. I've had times too, like Alec, where I've been in and out again before my appointment time - very welcome!
Guest 730- Registered: 5 Nov 2011
- Posts: 221
#6
I can remember years ago if you had to see a consultant they would make all the appointments for 9.00 in the morning, so you could be sitting there for three or four hours before you saw anyone. I don't think that happens now does it.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
#7
Like Maggie and Alec, there have been times when I have arrived early for appointment, and been seen early. As Maggie says it is extremely discourteous not to turn up for an appointment, or to turn up late.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#8
#6, yes it still happens. My wife has a quarterly appointment at K&C and the time can be anything between 0900 and 1115. We always turn up at 8.15 with coffee and crossword and are always seen first and out by 9.15 or 9.30.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#9
2 years ago I had a small stroke and was having 3, some times 4 appointments a week.
Memory badly affected, so texting reminders are a godsend,
its hospital appointments for sick people don't forget.