"Delays, delays"

My child's appointment at the Fracture Clinic this month was scheduled for mid-morning. We arrived 10 minutes early, only to be informed by the admin staff that there was at least a one-hour wait as I believe the Orthopaedic Team had started late and only one new Registrar was dealing with a caseload of approximately 40 patients that day.

Whilst waiting, I overheard a conversation that there were two more staff members from the Orthopaedic Team brought on to get through the list. We were not seen until after midday. Over two hours of time lost and my child missing school. There were many other patients waiting; some had been there longer than us.

We have attended this clinic many times over the years and I feel it is almost expected to be running behind time. Waiting more than an hour, in my opinion, is simply unacceptable. The Orthopaedic Team often does not get there to commence seeing patients until nearly an hour after the first appointment time.

In my opinion, they need to start on time with an appropriate amount of resources to manage the clinic efficiently.