"Lack of communication"

I have been disappointed with the communication from anti-natal services from the outset. I phoned and left a message on the answerphone for no-one to get back to me. I then decided to email as my telephone message had not received a response. Again it took a few days to receive a response however I was happy that I had finally managed to get in touch with the booking team. I received an email with an appointment for my initial booking appointment which myself and my partner arranged time off of work to attend.

On arrival at FVRH I spoke to the receptionist and gave my name and appointment details; I was asked to take a seat in the waiting room. After around 20 minutes I approached the receptionist to enquire how late appointments were running. At this point I was asked what team I was, I replied that didn't know yet as this was my first appointment, and did I have my notes, again I informed the receptionist that I did not as this was my initial appointment. The receptionist then said they would go and find out what was happening. This took approximately 20 minutes before the receptionist returned to the waiting area. This person walked straight past me, sat down behind the desk and began speaking with another staff member. I again approached the desk and asked if they had found out what was happening. they replied that they didn't have a note of my appointment today and they would need to make me an appointment for another day.

I am perplexed as to why it took 40 minutes and me enquiring for anyone to realise that there had in fact been no appointment scheduled for me. The receptionist asked me to write my name and phone number down and said they would phone me in around 20 minutes to give me another appointment. I did not receive a phone call that day which added to my feelings of exasperation and being totally disregarded by the team. I did receive a phone call the following morning with an appointment for that afternoon however my partner was unable to arrange further time away from his work at such short notice therefore he was unable to be involved, as he had hoped.