"My experience in the General Outpatients Department"

I arrived at 5:30 pm  in plenty time for my appointment at 6 pm at the General Outpatients /department. I had inquired that morning on how to check in for my evening appointment, when I was attending a CT Scan which was I must say well organised.

I was told not to scan my letter too early so I scanned it at 5: 50 pm and the information given stated that I had to wait at Area C. At 6:05 pm. My husband thought there was something not right about the information that was given so he popped into area B where there was a reception area. He was told that there was a mistake with the information and that it should be Area B. We then waited another 30 minutes and the doctor appeared to say that I was to have a breathing test and the nurse would take me up but she would have to take another patient to the main desk and then she would come back and take us up to the place where the breathing test would be carried out. We sat again for another 5 minutes when the administrator then said they would take us up. He chapped the door and said that I was here to have the test. After another 5 minutes sitting there I was eventually called in, there was no other patients waiting to be seen.

After doing the test we returned to Area B and yet again we sat for another 30 minutes because quite frankly they had slotted other patients in whilst I was away having the tests. Why should I have waited 30 minutes for the doctor to then say I was to have a breathing test before I could see them. Surely if I arrived on time for my appointment then they could have said to go for the breathing test rather than sitting about and other patients taken before me.

Quite frankly it was total chaos and I know there were no other patients at that time before me.

Because I was so disgusted by the whole scenario I left the breathing test information with the administrator to give to the doctor, and said that another appointment will have to be re-scheduled and I will certainly not be taking an appointment in the evening.

I also cannot understand why it was the doctor who came out to say you will have to go to the breathing test first. I feel that I have been totally fobbed off. There was simply no organisational skills in this appointment compared to the morning when everything was clearly explained and carried out most professionally.

My main point is if my husband hadn't gone to check elsewhere how long would I have sat in Area C?