Phone Appointment - what a shambles

[dawkin_S]

Quick vent here, bear with me. I had a phone rheumatology appointment due with the nurse today. For some reason I was convinced it was at 2.30, so I'm chatting to my Mum on Skype at 11.45 and when the land line rings, I think - "Hmm, no that couldn't be the hospital it's too early" and don't answer. Then I think, hang on maybe I'm wrong so I check the phone and it's a message from the nurse saying "I am calling about your appointment at 12 today, I will call back." So I am confused, check the letter and yes, I'm totally wrong the appointment is for 12 and she'd called a bit early. My mistake, silly me.

So, I hang up with Mum, sort out my notes and sit by the landline to make sure I don't miss the call back. 12.15, my mobile which is over on the table starts ringing - I'm expecting a call from my boss at some point too so I think, "Damn, can I answer that now?" So I get up and grab the phone, which has quickly gone to voice mail and it's the nurse, calling me back but this time on the mobile! She left a message to say she'd missed me twice so she was cancelling my appointment and would arrange the next available one for me (god knows when that will be).

I call back the number, but it just goes to a recorded message. Then I call the hospital, get a receptionist who says I'll put you through but take down the direct number for next time. Then I get a recorded message, then someone answers and very helpfully says they'll see what they can do. Then they come back and say, was it the nurse that called you? I say yes, so they transfer me, but it's to the helpline where you can just leave a number and message and they will call you back. So I am now sat by the phone for the rest of the day, just in case they do call me back and I have now "missed an appointment" and if you miss more than one you get the boot! I'm so stressed about it.

[Pippy25]

I'm so sorry to hear this and really hope you can get this sorted out successfully. I was sat by the phone yesterday waiting for my GP telephone consultation which was late but I feel you are frightened to move in case you miss the call and they don't call back.So send some supportive wishes to you x

[dawkin_S in reply to Pippy25]

Thanks Pippy, I appreciate it. I just got my other half to sit by the phone for me so I could nip to the loo! 😂

[Hidden in reply to dawkin_S]

It’s a pain all this telephone malarkey it’s so easy to be fobbed off. I think your nurse could have tried more than twice especially as she rang earlier than the appointment. It’s also disappointing . Glad you got to the loo you have enough problems 😂😂😂

[dawkin_S in reply to Hidden]

Ha, yes, me too - I was calling and calling to him to come down (he's working from home to be fair) so it was a close run thing 😂

[Pippy25 in reply to dawkin_S]

That was my problem yesterday too and I kept thinking if I go now the phone will ring and I will miss the call, whilst attending to 'a call'!!

[Neonkittie17]

The rheumy Secretary would have put me through to the nurse or found her if that had happened to me .. got her to phone back later in the day or next day, and not generated a new appointment.. well that’s the sensible secretary! (The other sec who is a law unto herself would have ignored me!) I would write to your nurse and say sorry you missed each other on the phone and copy to the rheumatologist, so they know you were there and waiting for your call. She was a little early and you missed it as on another call. The second time you tried to get it but went to answerphone. You tried! Hope you can speak to her soon but I would write to clarify you were there waiting for the call. Good luck.

[dawkin_S in reply to Neonkittie17]

Hmm yes that might be an idea. We don't have email contact with them at my hospital unfortunately, so it'd have to be a letter. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to dawkin_S]

I always follow up anything like that with a letter so they can’t say I’m ignoring them or haven’t responded. Good luck.

[Pippy25 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Good idea NK to put it in writing then everyone had a record of it.

[Hidden]

I bet you are! I would leave a message saying the nurse should not have ring you early and can she please ring you tomorrow on your mobile. Take that phone with you everywhere!

I hope you get it sorted 🤞🤞

[Marionfromhappydays]

Thats such a disappointment, hope they ring back tomorrow.

I had a video call with my consultant yesterday and all I could see was her forehead ! She did have nice eyebrows though 😅

Hope you manage to get your appointment x

[dawkin_S in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thanks, I hope so too.

I love that - at least I didn't have to pluck my eyebrows for the phone call!

[Mmrr]

Waiting on medical phone calls can be very stressful. Yesterday I carried my mobile around for nearly 3 hours before the GP eventually rang, due to pressure of time they only try to ring once, if you miss it you miss it. I hope you get zn appointment sorted soon.

[Bookworm55]

Yes I agree with everyone who’s said how stressful that is. My rheum nurse phones from a number that you can’t reply on - and the number to contact her is just an answer phone. So frustrating as they always seem to finally ring back when I’m driving or in the loo!

[Miasnana in reply to Bookworm55]

I missed my phone call because my elbow and shoulder was so painful l couldn’t get my phone out of my bag quick enough. I worry I’ll drop my phone if I just keep it in my hand as I seem to have a lack of feeling in my fingers sometimes

[Otto11]

How frustrating & annoying. I have one in a few weeks & it says between 9-1 so will be taking both phones up & down stairs etc wherever I go for hours. I have the same problem when it’s a GP call back as they often just fit you in at a different time to your appointment if they have a gap.

My poor daughter has missed 3 Neuro appointments as we had a block on unknown numbers due to daily scam calls & they have now discharged her. They were supposed to be calling her mobile. It’s so stressful. I hope you manage to get sorted x