"Confirming MRI scan appointment - radiology"

On two separate occasions my mother has been asked to confirm that she can attend MRI scan appointments at St George's Hospital in Tooting. 

Both times we have had major problems getting through to anyone using the Radiology Department telephone numbers supplied in the letters. The phone lined ring and rings and then automatically cut off. It didn't seem to matter what time we rang we encountered the same problem. 

I called at least 8 times before finding another number online and making contact that way. It is obviously very frustrating and causes a great deal of anxiety because the letters say the appointment must be confirmed. 

I was calling on behalf of a frail elderly woman who would have found the experience very upsetting had she been trying to call the department herself. In addition she doesn't have internet access so couldn't have researched alternative numbers.

If appointments have to be confirmed and telephone numbers are supplied in order to do this then it's important someone is answering calls.