"Lack of communication"

Came to Queen’s Medical Centre recently for a procedure on my eye in the EENT department.

I arrived at the given time of 12.00p.m. to find around 8 or 10 other people had the same time for their appointments. We were taken in one at a time and I was eventually taken in at about 5.15 p.m. I was the last to be called.

None of us had any idea why the order was chosen. It didn’t seem to be alphabetical and I was told it was the luck of the draw. Obviously my luck was out, as I was the last.

I think there should have been more communication beforehand. I didn’t take drink or food or a newspaper or iPad and as I was on my own and was reticent to go down 4 floors to a cafe to buy anything in case my name was called.

There must be a better system than to have older people waiting around for 5.1/2 hours. Surely it could have been split into several segments to ease the time wait. If this isn’t possible the people should be informed to bring refreshments and a book with them.

The actual procedure was quick and efficient. Actually it took just 10 minutes after the long wait.

Regards and many thanks to the staff. It’s the communication and organisation which could be improved.