"Wasteful methods used by people who are..."

What I liked

And did not like.

I had an pointment for a fasting bood test on Tuesday 8th March 2011, at 12.00 noon. Upon arrival the receptionist checked my details and asked me to wait in the seating area which I was happy to do. While waiting I observed that each patient was being called by someone reading the name at the desk and leading them to the cubicle. After about 10 -15 minutes my name was read out from the list at the reception desk. Another patient and myself were called. I was asked to go to the further cubicle. As I entered the cubicle the person was busy with a make-up compact. The door was ajar so I entered without knocking. The person in the chair quickly put her make-up stuff away and asked me to sit. She asked me if I had fasted and the time of the last meal. I said I had nothing since about 6.00 pm the previous day, except a coffee, without sugar in the morning. She said that I had broken my fast adding that I'd have to rebook my appointment. I was then upset at having to come back. All for having just had a sugar free coffee in the previous 18 hours.

I remarked that I'll get another appointment from the receptionist. She can then have more time while she carries on with her make-up. I apologise for this remark.

Please tell me why this person did not bother to come to the reception desk and read out my name when it was my turn to have a sample of blood taken. I had been watching this process, for other patients, while waiting for my turn.

Why the strictness of the fasting rules are not explained at the point of making an appointment?

What could be improved

Improvements can be made by monitoring of the staff performance. My experience has lead me to conclude that what I saw was less that professional behaviour.

Is it ok for staff to be checking up on their make up and even putting on make up while at their duty positions. This person was clearly doing this while there were empty and filled containers of blood within reach.

Can blood sample not get contaminated by 'make-up' products?

How valid would the test results be when contaminated by unknown (make-up) products?

It should be made very clear to the patient, at the time of making out the appointment, for 'a fasting blood test', about 'Only plain water, the prevous 12 hours' rule. This at present is not stressed enough and time is wasted.

Anything else?

In this day and age with technology at the level it is at I am amazed that such methods are still used for clinical diagnosis.

Patients are made to go hungry for up to 18 hours, as in my case, just to have 'a fasting blood test'.

I could not 'obey' the very strict rule about 'a fasting blood test' and so the appointment time was wasted.

The NHS time and money are being wasted by this.