"Appointment cancelled with an hour's notice"

I was finally referred to the Rheumatology in September 2017 and received a letter of appointment on 12th October giving me a date of 6th December at 9.30am.

I was about to leave the house when I got a call saying it had been cancelled.

No explanation other than the morning clinic had had to be cancelled as the doctor I was expecting to see would not be there. I was told I would be hearing from them once the doctor had returned.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that the doctor had been taken ill but was hopefully expected back on Fri 8th December.

Further conversations revealed that the doctor was quite ill which begs the question how they would be returning so quickly.

Apparently they are hoping they will be able to liaise with their secretary by phone.

I can see those of us that were cancelled not being seen until after Christmas.

I have lodged a formal complaint because whilst I accept that things happen unexpectedly, I strongly believe that contingencies should be in place and an alternative appointment offered without further delay.

Incidentally, I just tried to complete this form and the drop down menu of which department I 'visited' does not even offer Rheumatalogy.