"Appointments Reschedule Response"

As requested by NHS Fife if appointments could not be kept, I used the number (ending 729000) in the letter to advise.  It’s no wonder that people don’t bother to cancel appointments when the abrupt conversation went like this:

Me - Hello, my husband has received an appointment which he can’t make, can I change it pleasE?

Call handler: What’s the reference (note the absence of please and thank you)

Me: Quoted the reference.

Call handler: I can’t give you another appointment, you’ll need to wait for another letter.

Me: Could you make the appointment early in the morning please?

Call handler: No you just get any appointment.

Me:  I’m really sorry to have bothered you - hope your day improves.

Whilst I appreciate the NHS is under pressure right now and hey aren’t we all, common courtesy costs nothing.  The abrupt responses and unhelpful attitude was unnecessary.   No wonder people fail to notify of cancelled appointments.