11:56am Friday 22nd May 2009
There was a time when I found it difficult to understand why patients did not keep hospital appointments. Not any more.
In April, I received a letter from a Barnet & Chase Farm Hospital appointments officer giving me a follow-up appointment to see a consultant in June.
Having a long-standing engagement for that afternoon I phoned, as requested, to cancel it and be given another date.
I was informed that the appointments office was unable to change appointments as it doesn’t have access to the consultant’s diary.
I was told I should contact his secretary and was given her number. I was unable to speak to the person concerned so I left messages on three occasions giving all the relevant details referring to the appointment I wished changed. On April 24 I wrote to Chase Farm Hospital explaining I had made four phone calls and left messages, in the hope that my letter would be passed on to the appropriate clinic.
By May 11, having heard nothing, I rang the appointments office again and was told that my letter should have been forwarded but they gave me the phone number and time of the next clinic.
I rang the number, only to be informed that I was through to Barnet Hospital and not Chase Farm, but I would be transferred.
The line was busy and I was asked to ring again or press ‘0’ for help, which I did, only to hear a recorded voice saying it was not recognised.
I do not know why the wrong telephone number was given to me, even after I had explained the circumstances.
I have now made seven phone calls, the bill for the first five totalling £1.12 — the last two calls have yet to be billed, and have written a letter.
I have now given up. There will be a wasted appointment, but what more can one do?
MRS I JENKINS, Manor Road, Barnet
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/trade_directory/