Cancelled NHS appointments

[Princess Pooper]

I unfortunately have a lot of medical appointments for outpatient consultations, blood tests etc. Very good texting service from both GP and local hospital now as a reminder, which is great and hopefully reduces the number of no-shows.
Slightly annoying today though, I had phoned the required number to confirm that I would be attending my endoscopy appointment at local hospital. Went through the required nil-by-mouth, period, got Prince Pooper to drop me off and had him and a good friend on text stand-by for picking me up later (not allowed to drive or even travel by taxi or public transport after sedative). Booked in 20 mins early and waited, was called in 20 minutes after my appoint time by nurse for the pre-assessment. 'Ah, Mrs X. We did try and contact you but couldn't get through. Due to the complexity of your case history and as you take immunosuppressants it is not advisable for you to have this procedure here so we will be in touch about an appointment at the Leicester hospitals. Is that alright?'

So phone call to PP to come and pick me up much earlier than expected.

At least the consultant had obviously read my file.

I had no text messages or missed calls on my mobile. No messages on the home phone but 1471 revealed a number with-heldhad rung without leving a message at 1pm. At that time we were both outside doing the jobs that we needed to get done to make time for my hospital trip. Apparently they are not allowed to leave messages (patient confidentiality). But surely a text message saying 'please phone (hospital no) asap about your appointment on (date)?'

Fortunately we don't live too far away but it was a wasted afternoon for both of us. I appreciate this was done for my benefit and to ensure I get the best possible care particularly if there are any complications that a cottage hospital can't cope with. The list did appear to be running late, so it will have helped bring it back on time, but it would have been nice to be told when I booked in, not when I'd sat there for 3/4 of an hour and PP had zoomed off into the distance!

I also appreciate this is nothing when compared to the poor souls that turn up for a major and possibly live-saving operation which is then cancelled due to lack of beds and all the emotional and physical distress that must involve. ... but it's still bloody annoying!

 

[JCMaloney]

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I happen to know part of an answer to that.........it`s a big problem internally for clinics etc. Mobiles: "Outbound calls to mobiles from the Trust display “no calling line identity” or “id withheld” depending on the mobile user’s network provider. This is due to the platform we use specifically for calls to mobiles and their network provider not allowing any calling line identity." Landlines: ​ "Calls to landlines however carry a calling line identity of an 0870 number in an attempt to prevent anonymous call rejection – callers cannot call back to this number as there is no indication as to where in the Trust the call originated from." Because we use IP phones many folk have id withheld numbers blocked on their mobiles and landlines so it just drops with no register on the phone of a missed call. Hope it gets sorted!

 

[honeyend]

This happaned last week to my friend. She was booked in for 9, because of the traffic left at 7.30, she also has mobility problems, and got up at 5.30 to see to the animals. So she got the confirmation text the day before, which with our local NHS hospital you have to reply to, by text to confirm you are attending, so why not send out a cancelled text? Its £4.20 to park at the hospital, plus petrol, she was sat in the car fuming when she rang.

 

[Princess Pooper]

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I happen to know part of an answer to that.........it`s a big problem internally for clinics etc. Mobiles: "Outbound calls to mobiles from the Trust display “no calling line identity” or “id withheld” depending on the mobile user’s network provider. This is due to the platform we use specifically for calls to mobiles and their network provider not allowing any calling line identity." Landlines: ​ "Calls to landlines however carry a calling line identity of an 0870 number in an attempt to prevent anonymous call rejection – callers cannot call back to this number as there is no indication as to where in the Trust the call originated from." Because we use IP phones many folk have id withheld numbers blocked on their mobiles and landlines so it just drops with no register on the phone of a missed call. Hope it gets sorted!

I thought you might have a bit of inside knowledge! Sadly they didn't call my mobile (although they have the number) which I would have answered as I had it with me, but my suggestion is a text - if necessary with a request to phone (relevant NHS number).

 

[mrs mtx]

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I happen to know part of an answer to that.........it`s a big problem internally for clinics etc. Mobiles: "Outbound calls to mobiles from the Trust display “no calling line identity” or “id withheld” depending on the mobile user’s network provider. This is due to the platform we use specifically for calls to mobiles and their network provider not allowing any calling line identity." Landlines: ​ "Calls to landlines however carry a calling line identity of an 0870 number in an attempt to prevent anonymous call rejection – callers cannot call back to this number as there is no indication as to where in the Trust the call originated from." Because we use IP phones many folk have id withheld numbers blocked on their mobiles and landlines so it just drops with no register on the phone of a missed call. Hope it gets sorted!

In our hospital we can by pass this though if their phones won’t accept private numbers?

 

[JCMaloney]

In our hospital we can by pass this though if their phones won’t accept private numbers?

Sadly we have to go through switchboard to do that........... not easy, pleasant or efficient!

 

[mrs mtx]

Sadly we have to go through switchboard to do that........... not easy, pleasant or efficient!

I do a bit of sidelining in switchboard as well as drug dealing