I have had an appointment to see ENT specialist for my 3 year old son who suffers from tonsil, ear and sinus infections at least once every month ( sometimes its even more often than that). My son has been on antibiotics ever since he was born every month and it was very important for him to see ENT specialist as soon as possible as he was getting immune to the antibiotics and his infections were getting worse.
We have waited for an appointment for 6 months. 2 days before the appointment I have received a text message telling me about the NHS charges if we don't turn up. 1 day before the appointment one of the receptionists in the hospital has left me a voicemail saying that the appointment has been cancelled because they are overbooked?!
You can imagine my frustration at that point. I have waited 6 months for them to just cancel my son's appointment like it's nothing? I have taken a day off work, taken him out the nursery that I pay for as well and they tell me they overbooked? It's really hard to believe that for 6 months no one has realised they are overbooked.
I have called the hospital, spoke to the receptionist who said they are overbooked and there is nothing she can do. After I didn't accept the NO she said she will put me through to the ENT department. After being on hold for about 10 minutes someone picked up the phone and put it down straight away.
After 10 minutes I called again, gone through to the same place and the lady on the phone told me that there is nothing she can do because the entire hospital doesn't have signal so all the calls go through to the call centre ?! I don't know who they think they talk to but I am not stupid enough to believe this,
I packed my bag and drove straight to the hospital who told me that my son's appointment has been moved to July ( 3 months later).
I went to the patient support office and managed to get an appoitment for next week with a different hospital but I am still not going to leave it as this. I have specifically chosen Northwick Park Hospital and waited that long for a reason so I will be taking it further.
"Cancelled an appoitment that I have waited for..."
About: Northwick Park Hospital / Ear, Nose and Throat Northwick Park Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat HA1 3UJ
Posted via nhs.uk
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Sue Fenwick Elliott