What a waste of ******* time!!!!

Alethia · #1 07-11-2007, 08:54 AM

Yesterday we went for Angus' appointment with the Spinal consultant to see what the state of play was with regards to him getting chest expansion surgery. Our appointment was at 9.20am. By 10.20am I was getting annoyed because that happened last time too, so I went to the receptionist and asked, "Is the doctor actually here?." She replied that she didn't know and asked the nurses. The nurse said that he'd gone to the radiography department to talk to them about something, btu we could go and get a cup of tea in the meantime and they would come and get us. An HOUR later, they came and got us. We went in, and he didn't even say anything about being so late. What he said in a rather long-winded fashion was that the operation I'd mentioned to him, which he'd since researched, was a cardiothoracic operation, so he'd passed it all onto them and we have to wait to hear from them!

Now, he's right, it is more of a cardiothoracic surgeon's remit, BUT couldn't he have just sent me a letter about that or given me a call? I took a day's precious annual leave for that bloody appointment. I'm booked up 2 weeks in advance with patients. He could have seen someone who WOULD have benefitted from that appointment. Just so many things would have been better if he'd had the foresight to cancel the appointment and just keep me up to speed! I am slow to anger so I didn't say anything at the time, but I am really steamed now, so I will write him a letter to complain about how unprofessional I think he is and why!

I'll start noising up the cardiothoracic team now because I want to get this thing going. My main concern now is that they may consider it too experimental and not want to do it here. This spinal guy sounded so positive last time, and gave the impression it was entirely possible to have the op done here, but he wasn't so sure this time and I got a very negative vibe from the whole appointment - maybe that's what waiting 2 flipping hours for a big disappointment will do for you!! Much as I love you guys, I really don't want to have to start doing fund raisers and fighting right left and centre, in order to come to the US twice to get the two stages of this op done.

I'm not a happy camper right now.

Love,

Moaning Minnie (aka Kate)

Shylent · #2 07-11-2007, 09:20 AM

I am sorry you had such a rough day yesterday

and lost a whole day. I get so aggravated with Drs when I cancel an entire day of therapies and the such only to go sit around to be told something a call would have accomplished.

aydens mom · #3 07-11-2007, 09:35 AM

So sorry kate,ive gone to the hospital for app.just to find out they cancelled clinic for the whole day,&they claim letters were sent,i never got mine 2x!!As if i really want to drag ayden & all his equip!(Ayden was happy though)

Melisande · #4 07-11-2007, 09:39 AM

Oh yes, that would peeve me as well! Somehow their time is much more valuable than ours! I hate wasting time in doctor's offices or hospitals!!!

JWorthington · #5 07-11-2007, 01:29 PM

Kate, that really sucks! Your time is precious enough - write a strong letter of complaint

I hope you can get an appointment with the cardiothoracic team quickly.

It sounds pretty similar to Sam's appointment with the urologist yesterday. Our appointment was 2pm and we were walking back to the car by 5 past! (very unusual for our children's - you're usually at least an hour late getting in). The consultant had another child's notes (a very thin file) so he stomped out to tell the desk to look for Sam's notes - his words: "these aren't Sam's notes - Sam's notes will be in a big box!" Then, as you may recall, he was ill and another doctor did Sam's surgery - because they couldn't find the notes I had to fill him in on what had happened - he didn't even know Sam had had the surgery. Anyway - the end result - he needs to do something else with it and will see Sam in a year's time. mmm.. an hour on the M6 for that.
sorry to vent on your thread Kate

Julie

faywrayy · #6 07-11-2007, 01:48 PM

You're right, that is a huge waste of time. Dh stopped taking days for clinic visits, cause it's lots of waiting around for little return and he needs the days for more important appointments, or whatever.

Last airway clinic, her appt was for 1:20 and they didn't put us into the room until 4:15, after I spoke in a loud voice about how unbelievably inconsiderate they all were. Then another hour before the doc actually came in. When he was there, I practically did all the talking and questioning, having to ask about spot checking the pulse ox, using the passy muir, etc. In short a collosal waste of time.

So sorry!

Alethia · #7 07-11-2007, 03:05 PM

Seems to be a common problem. I don't know WHY they do it. I mean, I see patients, and they are booked into 30 minute slots. I was 15 minutes late for ONE patient today and I apologised profusely because I consider that rotten of me. I would never even consider being 2 hours late for a patient, certainly not without keeping them informed and giving them the option of reappointing. Even if I didn't give a stuff about it, my colleagues and boss would really go to town on me for being unprofessional if I consistently didn't keep my appointment schedule up to speed. I really don't see why consultants should be so different.

Next time I am kept waiting more than 30 minutes, I shall complain loudly, reappoint and then leave. It's not acceptable, and I'm not going to put up with it any more unless I get a reasonable explanation for the doc's tardiness (for a cardio surgeon I know that genuine emergencies do arise) and a flipping apology from him/her!!! No more Miss Nice Woman from me!

lovemymak · #8 07-11-2007, 04:33 PM

Oh sweet Kate!

You have every right to be upset with them. Poor little Angus having to wait around too! It's worse when you know they aren't where they are supposed to be. I will be saying big prayers that the cardiothoracic team will be ready to listen with open minds and take this on the way that it needs to be done. In the mean time, try to relax and have a glass of wine! You can write your letter, and then have Kari revise it for you. I'm sure she could add a lot of amusing color to it for you!

Sarah

Alex's mom · #9 07-11-2007, 06:34 PM

How horrendous, inconsiderate and unprofessional! I'm so sorry it turned into such an unproductive visit.

alizesmom · #10 07-11-2007, 07:52 PM

There does seem to be a belief in the medical world that they are the only ones whose time is valuable. What to do about it? I don't know. Personally, I feel sorry for their nurses and receptionists who have to listen to our (definitely warrented) displeasure. Interestedly enough Pittsburgh Children's just started a study. They give you a paper where you fill out time of appt, time arrived, time checked in, time called back to a room, time left in room, time seen by doctor, time doctor left and time you left clinic. Maybe they just want to pacify parents or maybe there's hope.....

Karen