Hospital appointment

GDB2222

Just a quick heads up. I was referred by my GP for an outpatient appointment at my local hospital, and I received a letter telling me where and when to turn up. When I got there, the place was like the Marie Celeste. Despite the letter saying to turn up, it turned out that this was supposed to be a telephone consultation. Apparently, someone was supposed to telephone me, although I didn’t get the call.  They were really surprised to see me, although very nice about it.

Anyway, long story short - if you have a hospital appointment, it is worthwhile checking that they really need you to attend in person. 

welshbabe88

Thanks for the info - thats weird they don't specify it more clearly isn't it?

Jeremy535897

I find the layout of the letters rather confusing. I had to read mine carefully to work out that I didn't actually have to turn up.

yorkiechick

I have an appointment in August and they can't make their mind up whether I should show up or not! Changes from a telephone appointment to in person every other week!

JamoLew

Trust me - they aren't doing for no reason and just for fun.
The situation and advice is constantly shifting and our crystal balls seem to be broken

yorkiechick

I appreciate that, I wish they'd just keep it to a telephone appointment as I've been shielding. The thought of going into hospital scares the crap out of me at the moment!

unforeseen

Mine have either telephone or face-to-face written on to them.

Apart from one. I don't think you can do telephone CT scans

Missus_Hyde

Most of my hospital appointments were rescheduled over the last three months (apart from blood tests). I have a lung function test in September at one of the hospitals I attend (which can't be done over the phone) but have to go to the same hospital again the next day to see my consultant. 

I'm going to suggest to them that I have a telephone, rather than a face to face consultation, which would probably be easier for them and certainly easier for me. 😉

JamoLew

unforeseen said:

Apart from one. I don't think you can do telephone CT scans

Definitely not  

JamoLew

Missus_Hyde said:

Most of my hospital appointments were rescheduled over the last three months (apart from blood tests). I have a lung function test in September at one of the hospitals I attend (which can't be done over the phone) but have to go to the same hospital again the next day to see my consultant. 

I'm going to suggest to them that I have a telephone, rather than a face to face consultation, which would probably be easier for them and certainly easier for me. 😉

It depends what the consultation is for -- anything further than asking and answering questions isn't really ideal over the telephone.
Its amazing what people can pick up from actually seing a person and their body language.
Its also quite hard to palpate someone over the phone or look down their throat for example.
Honestly, hospitals are one of the safest places out there currently 

[Deleted User]

My diabetes checkup with the DSN has just been changed to a telephone appointment on 14th July. 

My neurology appointment has been moved forward from August to July and told me I had to wear a face covering. 

My ophthalmology appointment has been booked since January and I rang to check and they said still to attend. 

I’m going to ring the day before each one to check advice is still the same to go along.