"Feeling like a nuisance by asking for clarity"

A relative is a patient linked to haematology dept. due to cancer at Altnagelvin Hospital.

It is really, really difficult to get hold of any of the nurses when there are issues/queries/ follow ups on what the consultant has said would happen- many messages have been left - no replies. 

Appointment letters pre Encompass, used to say 'make sure to get bloods done x number of days ahead of appt with consultant' however now the letter makes no mention of this. it is like the patient is somehow magically supposed to know that bloods are needed. Trying to get confirmation about whether or not bloods are needed - an absolute nightmare. 

My relative is an older person. They did not want me to enquire about getting the bloods done - they said they must not be needed because surely it would have mentioned it in the letter. It took a lot of persuasion to let her know that it would have been a wasted journey if there were no bloods taken ahead of the appt when they were actually needed.

It made the patient (and me) feel we were causing problems in asking the questions. The tone from staff we asked felt like it was something that we should known even though there is little information. A vulnerable patient (or anyone) doesn't need to be made to feel stupid. I don't think it is a difficult thing to ask for clear instructions to be given.