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AIBU?

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Original poster

10 missed calls from private health company

206 replies

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:08

I booked a private MRI scan a week ago. I have gone through the screening questionnaire on the phone when I booked the scan. All good.

In the past week I have had 10 missed calls from them - at first it was “calling regarding my referral”, now they’re “calling to confirm I’ll be attending”.

As a rule I don’t answer my phone to an unknown number unless I’m expecting a call. If they leave a voicemail, I’ll call back when I’ve verified their number.

AIBU to think 10 calls in 7 days is excessive? I’ve paid, I’m suitable for the scan and I will be attending tomorrow. Surely they don’t need to be in constant contact with me?

OP posts:
fashionqueen0123 · 28/06/2026 10:51

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:46

Rubbish.

“Hi im X calling from Y, please give us a call back on 12345” is perfectly fine and no privacy concerns.

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It’s not rubbish. I work in a similar area and we aren’t allowed to leave messages.

LaliqueSaltGrinder · 28/06/2026 10:49

It's not rubbish. my GP's practice does not leave messages.

You are being very petulant and silly about this. Just answer your phone.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:46

LaliqueSaltGrinder · 28/06/2026 10:45

Many medical businesses or NHS have a policy of not leaving messages for privacy reasons.

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Rubbish.

“Hi im X calling from Y, please give us a call back on 12345” is perfectly fine and no privacy concerns.

OP posts:
LaliqueSaltGrinder · 28/06/2026 10:45

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:27

I’m sorry but one call and a voicemail is perfectly fine. I will then get back to them as and when I can.

the irony being I’ve attempted to call them this morning (they’re open), and they’ve not answered!

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Many medical businesses or NHS have a policy of not leaving messages for privacy reasons.

Spidey66 · 28/06/2026 10:40

You say it's an unknown number but you know who it's!

Just answer the call FFS, it's not difficult!

Boolabus · 28/06/2026 10:40

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:35

It is unreasonable to leave ten calls.

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Not if you don't answer any of them!! I would imagine it's computerised and on a loop system. Unanswered goes back into system and gets spat out to be called again after a certain amount of time and this will keep happening until call is answered. As I suggested already don't provide your phone number if you don't want to be called. Next time request email contact only

StarlightRobot · 28/06/2026 10:39

I’m afraid, OP, that you aren’t coming across too well in this. I wonder why you posted on AIBU? You’ve had plenty of answers to that question.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 28/06/2026 10:39

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:20

I’m an adult, I’ve made an appointment, their expectation should be that I will attend. The level of distrust isn’t normal or acceptable.

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Yes that is true in an ideal world but in THIS world people are arseholes/entitled/forgetful/selfish and reminders might be what reduces no-shows.
Perhaps in future you could ask them to just send a text reminder.

sffsa · 28/06/2026 10:37

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:35

It is unreasonable to leave ten calls.

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If you rang them back it would have been be less. If it’s to do with checking something and you only got one phone call (that you won’t respond to) and then it was cancelled you’d probably be complaining too.
theyre not ringing excessively for the fun of it they’re doing it as you’re not responding in a timely manner

Random321 · 28/06/2026 10:36

There's just no helping some people!

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:35

sffsa · 28/06/2026 10:31

You haven’t got back to them in a week, it may be to do with needing more information, it’s not unreasonable for them to keep following up, seeing as you weren’t contacting them back.

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It is unreasonable to leave ten calls.

OP posts:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:34

thenightsky · 28/06/2026 10:32

How do you know they're not trying to get hold of you because the appointment time has had to be changed?

I had a private operation booked and they rang me to say I could have it earlier (a lot earlier) if I wanted as someone had cancelled. If I'd ignored the call, I'd have been waiting 3 months instead of 3 weeks.

They could leave a voicemail explaining.

OP posts:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:34

MissBattleaxe · 28/06/2026 10:33

She's 90. There was a heatwave. I think those are valid reasons.

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Not to not attend without notice.

OP posts:
MissBattleaxe · 28/06/2026 10:33

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:17

Why on earth would you not attend an appointment because it’s warm?! I’ve heard it all now

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She's 90. There was a heatwave. I think those are valid reasons.

thenightsky · 28/06/2026 10:32

How do you know they're not trying to get hold of you because the appointment time has had to be changed?

I had a private operation booked and they rang me to say I could have it earlier (a lot earlier) if I wanted as someone had cancelled. If I'd ignored the call, I'd have been waiting 3 months instead of 3 weeks.

MouseMama · 28/06/2026 10:31

They probably want to check you’ll attend AND talk you through what the appointment will entail… leave your jewellery at home, no metal in your body, no claustrophobia, realise you’ll need to be very still inside the machine etc. It may have been on the online form but suspect they would want to talk you through it particularly if it’s a private service. Until you answer they will keep calling because they haven’t done this part of the process with you.

sffsa · 28/06/2026 10:31

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:27

I’m sorry but one call and a voicemail is perfectly fine. I will then get back to them as and when I can.

the irony being I’ve attempted to call them this morning (they’re open), and they’ve not answered!

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You haven’t got back to them in a week, it may be to do with needing more information, it’s not unreasonable for them to keep following up, seeing as you weren’t contacting them back.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:27

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 10:20

They are being excessive because the op is not contacting them.

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I’m sorry but one call and a voicemail is perfectly fine. I will then get back to them as and when I can.

the irony being I’ve attempted to call them this morning (they’re open), and they’ve not answered!

OP posts:
Ilovemum · 28/06/2026 10:27

Because there is often between 14-25% of medical appointments are not attended for various reasons. They are trying to ensure they do everything that is reasonable to ensure you attend. I have patients who make an appointment for the following day who don't attend so I can see why they do it....

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 10:22

Boolabus · 28/06/2026 10:22

Oh I know that's my point it's a waste of staff time which is why I suggested text option may be better from a business perspective.

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Sorry, i misunderstood.

Boolabus · 28/06/2026 10:22

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 10:20

They are being excessive because the op is not contacting them.

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Oh I know that's my point it's a waste of staff time which is why I suggested text option may be better from a business perspective.

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 10:20

Boolabus · 28/06/2026 10:18

Number of calls excessive what a waste of staff time. I'm not in UK I attend a private dentist and gp I get a text a couple of days before appointment reminding me of appointment and asking me to text yes to confirm and no to cancel and that I'll be charged if I cancel less than 24hours before. The clinic should adopt this system would save them a lot of time especially with those that appear to have an issue answering their phone.
Op I would recommend in the future not to give your phone number out if you don't want people to call you.

They are being excessive because the op is not contacting them.

Boolabus · 28/06/2026 10:18

Number of calls excessive what a waste of staff time. I'm not in UK I attend a private dentist and gp I get a text a couple of days before appointment reminding me of appointment and asking me to text yes to confirm and no to cancel and that I'll be charged if I cancel less than 24hours before. The clinic should adopt this system would save them a lot of time especially with those that appear to have an issue answering their phone.
Op I would recommend in the future not to give your phone number out if you don't want people to call you.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 10:17

TheyGrewUp · 28/06/2026 10:09

But that's how you deal with things, not everyone does. MIL had an NHS apt for bloods at her GP on Friday. She is unwell, 180 BP, vwry swollen feet and ankles. Finally being monitored and still as sharp as a pin at 90, although healthcare averse.

Because it was hot on Friday, she didn't attend, booking a taxi is not an issue. Evidently she phoned half an hour before and they didn't answer the phone. She won't make another appointment, the practice won't call to rearrange.

She will have no cognizance that her not attending will mean that someone else couldn't have an appointment. This is what healthcare providers have to contend with.

I don't understand why you didn't answer your phone. Job done, 9 more calls avoided.

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Why on earth would you not attend an appointment because it’s warm?! I’ve heard it all now

OP posts:
Nowthatshuge · 28/06/2026 10:16

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:15

If it was NHS I’d agree wholeheartedly and make more of an effort to call back. But it’s private - all that happens if I don’t attend is they’ve made £360 without having to scan me and report on it.

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Because you’d still be pushing another patient along the line for an appointment! What an entitled point of view

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