I rarely use the telephone as I find it stressful. There is no email or text facility on your letter, which only gave a telephone number. There was no address either and your website confusingly gives hospital addresses as East or West- so it took quite a while to figure out the right location. Even then, there was no email or textphone.
I eventually discovered the location and called (as no email or texpthone facility), but it was an answerphone. I tried again later - same thing. Being stressed, I called the main switchboard and the operator kindly gave her email and said she would print my email and send it to physio. A day later, no response, so I called that night when I felt calmer, yet again explaining autism and the switchboard operator's note. This am I finally received an appointment date and time - but asking me to ring if it was inconvenient...
Please give your staff autism disability training. Consider non verbal patients and autistics who only use email or text. It is no different to blind people needing aids to get around. We are not difficult nor unintelligent (common misperceptions). You need to offer alternatives in your letters also the location address. Also put the addresses or even just the postcodes on the website, not just East or West, which is confusing for new patients.
"Autistic person trying to make an appointment"
About: Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) / Therapies Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) Therapies Exeter EX2 5DW
Posted by Marn71 (as ),
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