"Insufficient Notice for Outpatient appointment"

I have just received notification of an appointment only 10 days away (inc weekend) for an outpatient Paediatric appt via letter. To me this lack of notice would be insufficient for many families not just mine. This short notice does not reasonably allow for coordination of work commitments, arranging for a partner or support person to attend, or managing existing appointments.

This is particularly concerning given that when I called to reschedule the next available appt wasn’t until 7-weeks away. To me this indicates that appointments are scheduled well in advance. The short notice provided does not align with the apparent lead time in booking.

In addition, while I acknowledge the use of hospital catchment areas, it was disappointing that despite being under the care of a paediatrician in another catchment initially at birth, we were required to transfer for a follow-up appointment. In these situations continuity of a care provider is even more valuable.

Overall, the current process caused unnecessary stress when if we were notified even a month in advance things be much easier to coordinate.