Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Unsatisfactory language used in appointment letters

Posted By FGH38

"Unsatisfactory language used in appointment letters"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Dermatology Outpatients Centre / Dermatology

(as a service user),

I echo several other stories here in saying how unsatisfactory the language used is in appointment letters.

I attended the Dermatology department for what I thought was a review with my doctor, and instead found was an appointment for routine bloods which I could have arranged at my GP at a time convenient to me.

My appointment was titled, BAU Contingency Treatment Diary SCH, which means nothing to me.

Between receiving this appointment letter and attending the appointment, I received a separate letter requesting I arrange blood tests either with my GP or by phoning the department. 

This is unnecessarily confusing and unhelpful. I note the change to the wording has been planned for a year, according to this site.

(Please note the staff and the service are excellent)

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Brenda Smith, Lead nurse dermatology, Dermatology, NHS Forth Valley 3 years ago
Brenda Smith
Lead nurse dermatology, Dermatology,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 25/05/2022 at 12:06
Published on Care Opinion at 12:06

Thank you for the positive feedback about the department in general and sorry for the confusion about the duplicate letters.

If you need an appointment for review please contact me at the department in Stirling

01786 434098

Brenda Smith

Lead Nurse Dermatology

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Pauline Donnelly, Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing, NHS Forth Valley 3 years ago
Pauline Donnelly
Person Centred Manager, Department of Nursing,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 27/05/2022 at 15:39
Published on Care Opinion at 15:39

picture of Pauline Donnelly

Dear FGH38

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I really am disappointed to hear that we are still sending out letters that are causing so much confusion.

I was wondering if I could ask you to get in touch with me, I am really keen to get to try and sort out the wording in the letters, there are a few things that I need to ask about your letter. You can contact me on 01324 566523 or you can email me pauline.donnelly@nhs.scot

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Pauline

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k