"COVID test requirements communication"

I had two appointments scheduled recently, one was early morning, this was a recurring appointment that is meant to happen 6 monthly for a check up of my eyes. I had lost eyesight and they have restored it. It was already postponed because of COVID and this was already disappointing. I had waited 9 months for this appointment. My second appointment was scheduled for just after midday. It is a routine eye injection that happens every 5 weeks.

I got a text message from the hospital earlier in the week saying that I need to come in with a negative COVID test result, no later than 72 hours before. No problem, I have always done the rapid COVID test and that was always accepted. It took me one and half hours to get into the hospital. I came to reception, they said no you have only had the rapid test, we cannot let you in, this was at the screening at the door. They told me to wait. They said, after about one and a half hours waiting, they are not accepting the COVID rapid test.

When they sent the message they didn’t specify no rapid COVID test, they just said they needed it done within 72 hours. So after one and a half hours waiting they sent me away and said it will be rescheduled for 15 weeks away. I asked, what about my eye injection? I recall they said the eye injection is a different story, so you can go to that.

I had to wait and spend extra money to eat lunch while I waited for the appointment. But then they turned me away at the eye injection appointment too because I only had the rapid test. I spent the whole day and a lot of money. Parking at the hospital cost me $66 and I had to take tolls on the way. I also took the day off work. I am in my late 60s and I feel that they are treating me like I am nothing.

They only see you at the screening gate and they won’t let you in or anything. I am devastated. I believe I didn’t do anything wrong. I just spent a lot of time and a lot of money, because, I believe, somebody sent an incorrect message. I recall the message read, to be able to attend you must show us a negative COVID test result within 72 hours of your appointment. I recall it also said the same on the front door of the hospital. Nothing about the rapid test.

If the rapid test is not accurate enough, why did they accept them on the previous injection appointments I have been to? I have always done the rapid test. I believe I have done everything correctly to have my appointment. Normal COVID test takes 24-48 hours for results. I have the rapid test results within half an hour.

I understand that the staff that called me to rearrange my appointment didn't even know that they are not accepting rapid tests.