"Cardiology South Block OPD Appt - Monday 19th..."

I attend DRI South Block OPD on a fairly regular basis for Echo's and follow up appt's with my consultant, this is the first time I've ever felt the need to complain.

I arrived in plenty of time for my appt.

I walk up from work to the hospital and as this turned out the be the hottest day of the year I made sure I left in plenty of time for me to be there for the 3 pm appt.

I arrived at approx. 2.45 - 2.50 and was promptly called in to be weighed and have my blood pressure taken.

I was then asked to wait in the "sub wait" room... and there ensued my discomfort!

The "sub wait" wait room is the most horrible room I've ever had the misfortune to sit in.

it's absolutely shocking at the best of times but on such a hot day it's like sitting in a greenhouse with the windows stuck firmly shut on extremely uncomfortable chairs for hours on end!

I walked out of the appt when it got to 4 pm as I'd been there for over an hour by that time.

At no time did anyone speak to me and explain what the delay was.

As I left and passed on my displeasure and asked for a complaints form I was asked if I wanted to "have a word with sister".

I declined because what could they have said to me to stop the steam coming out of my ears?

Nothing.

Could they have turned back the clock an hour so that I hadn't been sat there for that amount of time? No.

However, they could have said something sooner about why the appt was taking so long.

That way I could have chosen whether to wait or leave.

In short, I was furious at having an afternoon wasted.

May I reiterate, the sub wait room is absolutely awful.

some improvements are well overdue - better air con, much better chairs, not so long a wait...