"Colonoscopy"

I was booked for a colonoscopy on 8th August. Nobody contacted me prior to my appointment so on the 2nd and 3rd August I phoned and left messages. Someone finally returned my call on Friday afternoon. By then it was too late to send me the bowel preparation I required so I was told it would be sent out 1st class on Monday. The only information I was given at that stage was to follow a low fibre diet as from Sunday - which I did.

On Tuesday morning I had a small bowl of cereal, then went to the gym and swam. I returned to find NO preparation had arrived. So I phoned again. Someone got back to me at 1.30 to say they would courier the product to me and I should have already stopped eating {I was about to have lunch].

So the product arrived and I did as required, though hungry.

When I arrived at the hospital, reception staff were not welcoming, and after the procedure, when my sister arrived to collect me, and told reception so, the message was not passed on. Eventually the nursing staff went to reception to enquire whether there was anyone there for me.

And today [Friday 10th August] the bowel preparation has arrived - by 2nd class post!

The actual procedure went well but I am deeply disappointed by the overall inefficiency surrounding my experience.