"Some suggestions after a visit to the cardiology clinic"

Now I have had my appointment (see my previous posts).

The Cardiologist was helpful. He took pains to tell me that some of my perceptions about the Cardiology Department are wrong.

I had commented previously on Care Opinion that my initial consultation for an echocardiogram had only taken ten minutes and that I was concerned about the veracity of such a procedure when the letter, inviting me for the appointment, had intimated that it would take 40-50 minutes. He explained that, as it had been such a straightforward procedure in my case, it had not taken as long as the more difficult cases. This I can accept but would it not have saved my concerns if the letter had explained that in detail?

And while explaining that, the compositor could have taken the opportunity to remove other misleading text in the letter of invitation to appointment. On one page it told me to come alone, on another to bring someone with me if I wanted to.

Again, on one page it suggested that I should arrive 30 minutes early for tests to take place, in another part of the letter it told me not to arrive earlier than the prescribed time. Am I just a pedant or do other patients have a similar problem?

As it was I arrived 30 minutes early and then waited for 1hr 40mins to see the consultant. This is not a complaint, just an observation. Next time I will arrive on the dot and will hopefully only have to wait an hour.

While there I filled in a feedback form to suggest that the availability of a television showing the BBC news channel might save those waiting from trying to avoid eye contact with their fellow man! An hour is a long time to avoid staring at people.

The seats are placed facing each other in the waiting area, with every second seat taped off to avoid close contact. Surely now, if they were all placed facing in the same direction they could all be used without risk of spreading infection? The rows could be further apart with no need for every second seat to be unused.

Anyway, thank you to all concerned for an, eventually, positive experience. I am to get further tests so will undoubtedly continue this saga at a later date.