Cancelled Appointment

[MichaelJH]

I had an outpatient appointment cancelled an hour beforehand today. Despite ringing patient transport immediately an ambulance turned up half an hour later! I now have a new appointment after a couple of phone calls.The reason given for the cancellation was staff sickness. This is not the first time this has happened after a bank holiday weekend! I suspect a few people are taking the "urine"?!

[Lezzers]

So frustrating!! Last year, we had over a 2hrs journey to the hospital to see the oncologist (first time ever in 2 years!) we were just 20 mins away from the hospital when we got a phone call to cancel the appt as the oncologist wasn't in the hospital!! As it was a late morning appt it begged the question, when did they actually notice she'd gone AWOL!! Another appointment was made, aafter doing the 2 hrs journey again we got to the hospital & realised it wasn't gonna go smoothly as we could see the panic in the receptionists eyes. Off went a nurse to speak to the oncologist who said 'its supposed to be a phone appt '! Err, not according to the appt letter or the previous appt letter! The oncologist said 'as we're here she'll see us! Not having been impressed with the oncologist since day one we asked her to refer Kevin to another hospital, she messed that up as well, the GP made the whole situation worse & as a result a year later we're still waiting for the referral! In complete contrast, all cardiology appts etc have gone swimmingly! 🤞

[Anon2023]

it’s horrendous when that happens. I turned up at hospital for an appointment a few months ago only to find out that it was cancelled as the electric had gone off. I know the NHS isn’t made of money but surely they could have put 50p in the meter!! X

[lettingoffsteam]

Sorry you had this hassle Michael.What a mess the NHS is in! Hopefully they'll see you next time.

[Razor1967]

Know how you feel, waited 5 months for an appointment (was today) for a separate procedure (not heart related) and the Hospital is 60 miles away as my local ones cannot do it. Had a voicemail on Thursday to cancel it due to the junior doctors strike. Cannot get through to try and get another. Had to cancel the rail tickets I'd booked which has left me 10 quid short due to the admin fee. Very frustrating 😕

[Dunandjam in reply to Razor1967]

Im hearing of lots of cases like your lately, including my neighbour who had a mastectomy 2 weeks ago and had her follow-up appointment cancelled and has heard nothing. I think the NHS is in a bad way and that is an understatement! My sympathies are with you

[Schora1]

Hi, I turned up for an appointment a few weeks ago after receiving a text reminder that morning, only to he told sorry but your consult has been moved to a telephone consult. When I asked which number they would contact me on they told me our landline number! 😳 lovely lady said oh if you hurry home it won’t matter you’ve got 15mins.

Consult took place eventually and consultant was not happy as I needed face to face with him.

[Lezzers in reply to Schora1]

I'm gonna jump in here if that's ok? It's interesting you said your consultant wasn't happy as you needed a face to face appt. Does that mean then that if you've got a face to face it's because the consultant wants it that way? The reason I'm asking is since 2020 all my husband's cardiologist appts have all been phonecalls, which has been fine. However, he's now had some issues going on & recent emergency hospitalisation, he's received his next cardiologist appt and it's a face to face. Thanks

[Schora1 in reply to Lezzers]

I think it’s too easy at the moment for consultants to carry out consultations on the phone unless they actually feel they need to see you face to face or you yourself request it.

My Rheumatologist clearly stated once too that she needs face to face for every consult with me but it’s not always happened and I’ve had to contact appointments. Communication lacks between the booking offices and consultants. My advice would be if you feel you need a face to face and or an appt earlier, ring the central booking office and explain.

[Lezzers in reply to Schora1]

Thanks for your reply but I think we've got a bit mixed up. We've been very happy having telephone appts, it's worked well for my husband. It was more a case of wondering if it's the consultant who decides if it's a face to face of if it's the booking office. The next appt is a Face to Face & the timing of it is ideal as it's just a couple of days after his appt with the electrophysiologist so will have lots to discuss.

[Schora1 in reply to Lezzers]

usually it’s the consultant. Hope all goes well.