"Outpatient appointment at Perth Royal Infirmary"

I received an outpatient appointment to attend the General Surgery (excl Vascular) with at Perth Royal Infirmary.  Initially the appointment was for 9.15am and subsequently changed to 11.15am on the same day. It was changed as I suffer from chronic pain and attending an early appointment in Perth is not possible. The appointment was following a stay in Ninewells Hospital at the beginning of February 2018.

Because of where I live the appointment would have involved me in a 100 mile round trip and being away from home for some 4 hours for what may have been a 10 minute appointment. I spoke by phone with the consultant's secretary asking if the appointment could be changed to Ninewells but this was not possible. Following further phone calls it was agreed that the consultant would review my test results and as they did not show up any particular abnormalities they were  happy to confirm by letter to cancel my appointment and for me to get in touch with my GP if there are any issues. 

If I did not have a car and was dependent on public transport, (4 buses, or 2 buses and 2 trains), this would have been a day-trip out for probably a 10 minute appointment. Also, if I had not been persistent in phoning then my appointment would not have been resolved to my satisfaction.

I cannot fault the care I received in hospital and at the various tests. But please, can consideration be giving to patients with regards, time, distance and travel, when outpatient appointments are made for them.