Cancelled Appointment : I had an... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,321 members33,988 posts

Cancelled Appointment

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
10 Replies

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"?!

Written by
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
Heart Star
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
Lezzers profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
lettingoffsteam

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

Razor1967 profile image
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 profile image
Dunandjam in reply toRazor1967

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

Scho1 profile image
Scho1

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 profile image
Lezzers in reply toScho1

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

Scho1 profile image
Scho1 in reply toLezzers

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 profile image
Lezzers in reply toScho1

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.

Scho1 profile image
Scho1 in reply toLezzers

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

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

I’m absolutely fuming! 😡 Cardiology appointment cancelled.

Hi everyone, Sorry, need to vent! So my mum was diagnosed with AF last year in May, she had a...
Nickybhf profile image

Vascular Surgeon - Appointment Cancelled

Just had a phone call to say my vascular appointment for early April has been cancelled - I suffer...
MichaelJH profile image
Heart Star

Cancelled 😒

Hi everyone. Update . Phone call yesterday an hour before I was leaving to say no beds and to get...
Barb6374 profile image

Did You Miss Appointment?

Yesterday I had a face-to-face outpatients. The wheelchair qualifies me for patient transport. This...
MichaelJH profile image
Heart Star

Angiogram appointment

I have finally received my appointment for an angiogram in January 2018 so what am I doing ?...
bowler profile image

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.