"Lack of communication "

I arrived with my 90 year old father for a noon appointment. 30 minutes later we were still waiting. I asked the receptionist why the delay and was told ‘we are running late’. Since that must have been known when I first ‘booked in’ why were we not told then? Another person simply told me ‘it can’t be helped’. Sure, delays happen but if would have helped considerably had we been informed earlier then it would have saved my father much anxiety and worry. It’s my experience that most people are understanding of delays but please communicate this to the patient.