Recently I attended a regular appointment at Sir Charles Gardner Hospital Haematology Clinic. My consult finished and I made my way to the clinic reception to book my next consult in 3 months time. Despite being the only client at the reception area, I wasn't allowed to book a new appointment. The reason being that all appointments 2 weeks in advance are now booked by another team. I mentioned to the reception officer that I'd rather book my appointment now because I prefer late afternoon appointments, because I work. The reception officer said that all appointments are automatically generated and I will be allocated the next available appointment. I will receive a new appointment in a couple of weeks.
I left the hospital. So now I will receive a randomly generated appointment in two weeks time. It is not likely the appointment will be the last of an afternoon. I will receive the letter when I arrive home after work, which is too late to call and reschedule the appointment. I begin work at a time which is too early to call and reschedule. Previously, I have left messages and not received a return call or the return call has left a message on my phone, which is on silent due to me being at work.
So much for patient centred care.
How difficult would it have been to book an appointment for me, or to take a message and leave with the team who now book appointments in advance of two weeks?
I have a couple of chronic conditions, work full time and have other commitments (as do many other people). So depending how I feel at the time of trying to reschedule the appointment, I may feel exhausted, or frustrated, or whatever and not reschedule, missing my inconvenient appointment. How difficult can it be to listen to my needs? The reception officer was at the desk, aren't I important enough?!
"Lack of consideration for patient needs when booking appointments"
About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Cancer Centre Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Cancer Centre Nedlands 6009
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