Doctors appointments
One the radio on the way in this morning I hear that 10 million doctors appointments were missed last year. The claim is that this cost 18 quid per missed appointment and that people who fail to cancel there appointments could be fined or ultimately struck off.
This really annoys me. Last year, I missed a doctors appointment for the first time ever. I’d made the appointment 2 weeks in advance (that was the earliest appointment I could get as I wanted an early one so that I could get to work ok) and then on the lunchtime before the appointment I had a phonecall from nursery saying that Becca was ill. I went and picked her up and as it was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to make the appointment the next day I rang the surgery. This was about 1pm by this time.
“The white house surgery is currently closed. Office hours are 8:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm”
Fair enough, the receptionists are at lunch. I ring back at 2pm. Same message. 2:10pm - same message. Finally, at 2:30pm they turn off the answer phone and it rings. And it rings. And it rings…
“Sorry, there is no one to take your call, please try later. *click*”
Grrrrr….I spend much of the afternoon hitting the redial button and after 20 something attempts it hits 5pm and I get the “The whitehouse surgery is currently closed….” message again.
Next morning starting at 8:25 I’m ringing again. My appointment is 9:10. After god knows how many attempts I realise that it is 9:15 and give in. I write to the doctors pointing out that the nice big sign telling people how many missed appointments there were last month and telling people that all they need to do is ring the surgery is pretty pointless if it is impossible to get through. I also suggest maybe a dedicated cancelation line with an answer phone or maybe even a text number. Did I get a response? Did I bollocks.
Also, I’m not entirely sure I understand how a missed appointment costs 18quid. I’ve *never* been to the doctors and managed to get in on time. Usually it’s at least 15 mins late. I find it difficult to believe that doctors are left sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for the patient - surely they just see the next one and claw back a bit of the delay?
Still, if this happens to me again and they try to fine me I look forward to the arguments 
