Beware Of Getting Hospital Appointments Wrong
On Monday, I had an appointment for an ultrasound examination on my liver at the local hospital at 09:40.
The appointment had been arranged by telephone and I also had a text which included the phrase “Please refer to your letter for pre-attendance advice and instructions.” I had been given basic instructions over the telephone, but I did not receive the letter. This is not the hospital’s fault, as I have received many letters in the past from the hospital and its Trust.
But my post has been very erratic these last few weeks and I suspect the letter is delayed somewhere.
As it happened, it didn’t matter, as the basic instructions sufficed and the ultrasound was a success all round.
Perhaps, in these days of problems with the Royal Mail, it may be prudent to include minimum instructions in the text message reminder.
The Anonymous Widower 
I’d agree with you, however recently I had to phone about an appointment because not only had I not received the letter but also the text reminder failed to appear. Thankfully the department had a record confirming the verbal arrangement at my previous appointment.
Unless it’s caused by financial or IT constraints, I can’t understand why they don’t give outpatients an opt-in option to receive emails rather than letters that are posted with a 95p 1st Class stamp. At least that way you can operate email receipts as proof of delivery.
I do feel a bit sorry for our postman who has to sort his mail before starting his round to deliver first the mail, then the heavier parcels.
Comment by fammorris | November 23, 2022 |