I don't know about yours but with our doctors surgery, you had to phone on the day you wanted an appointment. So you would spend 20-30 minutes playing telephone lottery to get an appoint, no point ringing after 8:30 as all the appoints are gone.
Tried phoning yesterday to find that they now have another system.
Here's how the conversation went after spending 20 minutes trying to get through.
Hello i'd like to make an appointment with Dr Jekyl please.
Today?
Yes, thats why I'm calling.!
Would you like to speak to a nurse first?
No, I would like an appointment to discuss ????????
You cant see him today, you need to make an appointment in advance in future
Why??? (getting rather irate)
You need to speak to our triage team first and then we will make an appointment.
OK, can I speak to them?
Yes, can I have your phone number, someone will call you back within two hours.
What?, I'm just on my way out!!.
Can we have a mobile number then?
I don't have one.
We need a number so that we can call you, otherwise you will have to wait in.
Then it gets a little silly so I won't bore you any longer.
So if I want an appointment, I have to phone in the day, wait up to two hours to speak a to a triage nurse who may then make an appointment for later that day, without knowing anything about your history . So you basically spend a whole day in limbo, not knowing if you can attend work or not, waiting for a phone call. And if you go to work, you have to discuss your personal business in front of the whole office and you may have to leave after and hour or two to attend the doctors.
I thought the health service was for the patients benefit not the doctors. Also, how about letting the patients know about changes to the appointment system, rather than just changing it without telling anyone. It would save a lot of irate patients ringing up and time, especially mine!.
Thats todays rant over, I feel much better now.
Tried phoning yesterday to find that they now have another system.
Here's how the conversation went after spending 20 minutes trying to get through.
Hello i'd like to make an appointment with Dr Jekyl please.
Today?
Yes, thats why I'm calling.!
Would you like to speak to a nurse first?
No, I would like an appointment to discuss ????????
You cant see him today, you need to make an appointment in advance in future
Why??? (getting rather irate)
You need to speak to our triage team first and then we will make an appointment.
OK, can I speak to them?
Yes, can I have your phone number, someone will call you back within two hours.
What?, I'm just on my way out!!.
Can we have a mobile number then?
I don't have one.
We need a number so that we can call you, otherwise you will have to wait in.
Then it gets a little silly so I won't bore you any longer.
So if I want an appointment, I have to phone in the day, wait up to two hours to speak a to a triage nurse who may then make an appointment for later that day, without knowing anything about your history . So you basically spend a whole day in limbo, not knowing if you can attend work or not, waiting for a phone call. And if you go to work, you have to discuss your personal business in front of the whole office and you may have to leave after and hour or two to attend the doctors.
I thought the health service was for the patients benefit not the doctors. Also, how about letting the patients know about changes to the appointment system, rather than just changing it without telling anyone. It would save a lot of irate patients ringing up and time, especially mine!.
Thats todays rant over, I feel much better now.