"Stressful appointment at New Victoria Hospital"

Around mid June I was told to go and get my breasts checked out at the hospital as they found a lump in it. They didn't think it was anything serious but decided it was best to get checked.

I was told to wait for a letter to confirm my appointment. I waited, and then waited longer and phoned up my doctors to ask what had happened. They were puzzled nothing had been sent so they said they'd deal with it and get it sorted.

I was finally sent an appointment around the end of July, and I put this into my diary. I have a really heavy workload but this took priority so I moved everything around, appointments, meetings, workshops to fit it. Done.

The appointment was for September, I thought, bit far away but ok, I'll just have to accept that and try not to worry.

Fast forward to the start of September and I receive this: "Please note it has become necessary to change your appointment."

It was changed to the day after. After changing all my diary around before I had made it impossible to make this date.

The letter said phone the number above, it is the main switchboard on 01412016000. I phoned, got put through, the phone rang for 3 minutes and then beeped and cut me off. I tried it again. Same thing. And again. Same thing. I then googled the Clinic's direct number, same thing happened.

This went on for 4 days trying to change the appointment. I must have tried maybe 15-20 times to get through.

At one point I convinced someone to put me through to the doctor's secretary and left a message but no response.

Eventually after managing to stop the incredibly quick switchboard (we are now at a day before the appointment) I talk to a nice lady. (Everyone else had said they couldn't help and all they can do is put me through). She put me through to a secretary, who was the wrong one, then the right one. I explained what had gone wrong but she said she had not been here yesterday and that reception is always very very busy.

I totally understand reception is really busy, but seriously, when you are sent a letter that changes your appointment so close to the date I expect to at least be able to get through and say I won't be able to make it.

This has been really really stressful and I expect the New Victoria hospital to respond and improve this. I'm one of those people who really doesn't like going to the hospital or doctors and takes me a real push to go and get checked up. This has made me feel stressed, upset and worried that without being able to change my appointment I would be blacklisted for not showing up. And apart from this, I just want to get this checked out and ensure it's not something serious.

Anyway, I eventually got through, probably because I sounded teary on the phone and frustrated, and now my appointment is in October. 4 months that will be when I get there. (Pending they don't change it again).

I'm sorry to give feedback like this, because everytime I'm actually with a doctor or nurse everything is great. Just sort out your appointment/phone service, it is a nightmare.