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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:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:36

Nofeckingway · 28/06/2026 09:36

Maybe they have someone on a waiting list and need to confirm that nothing has changed . It's not just about the money it's also a time issue .
Just answer the phone .

There are no waiting lists. You can literally book a scan for 7pm tonight, if you so wish.

OP posts:
Nofeckingway · 28/06/2026 09:36

Maybe they have someone on a waiting list and need to confirm that nothing has changed . It's not just about the money it's also a time issue .
Just answer the phone .

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 09:36

londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:33

Why should I? To be scammed? If it’s important they’ll leave a message and I can phone back at my convenience.

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They did leave messages that you are complaining about ! As i said yabu

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:33

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 09:31

Yet you don't answer your phone to unknown numbers !

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Why should I? To be scammed? If it’s important they’ll leave a message and I can phone back at my convenience.

OP posts:
Givemeachaitealatte · 28/06/2026 09:32

OP you obviously think you're right so what was even the point of this post?

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 09:31

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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Yet you don't answer your phone to unknown numbers !

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:30

TimeforaGandT · 28/06/2026 09:27

Often they need to go through health questions in advance with you and they will do that over the telephone

I did that when I booked.

OP posts:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:30

Highlights12 · 28/06/2026 09:25

what is the cancellation policy, could be that if you cancel within 24hrs your entitled to your money back & then it’s too short notice to get anyone else in.

Nope. Cancellations 48 hours out are charged at full price.

OP posts:
TimeforaGandT · 28/06/2026 09:27

Often they need to go through health questions in advance with you and they will do that over the telephone

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/06/2026 09:27

@londontoibiza yes I know it’s not an NHS appointment but people no showing to medical appointments they’ve made happens All. The. Time. Presumably in the private sector also. It’s just ensuring that the clinic runs smoothly for everyone there and like I said they can offer that appointment out if you aren’t going to attend

Seems like common sense to me.

mindutopia · 28/06/2026 09:26

I have 3 monthly CT and MRI scans on the NHS. They call every day starting 7 days before, sometimes twice a day, until I pick up and confirm. Sometimes I don’t because I am just not near my phone and honestly I don’t really care, my appointment is in the books regardless. You do just have to accept that’s the practice unless you’re going to confirm with them.

But I think the calling is normal for scans. Those slots are much sought after. You may not care if you lose money, but someone who is desperate for an urgent scan for a diagnosis would eat your arm for that slot, so they want to make sure you’re coming. You would be amazed how often people don’t turn up and it’s really annoying for those of us who depend on these scans because we have life threatening conditions.

Highlights12 · 28/06/2026 09:25

what is the cancellation policy, could be that if you cancel within 24hrs your entitled to your money back & then it’s too short notice to get anyone else in.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:24

Givemeachaitealatte · 28/06/2026 09:23

OP you're acting like because you have paid that you can do as you like. I get you're annoyed, I get you feel like you're being treated like a Child but to be honest, you're acting like one refusing to answer your phone and confirm you'll be attending an appointment.

I don’t need to confirm. I have made the appointment and I will be there. Why do they need to phone multiple times to confirm that?

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 28/06/2026 09:24

Just answer the phone and confirm your attendance.

It's not difficult and quicker than checking your messages and starting a thread on MN.🙄

Givemeachaitealatte · 28/06/2026 09:23

OP you're acting like because you have paid that you can do as you like. I get you're annoyed, I get you feel like you're being treated like a Child but to be honest, you're acting like one refusing to answer your phone and confirm you'll be attending an appointment.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:23

Strictly1 · 28/06/2026 09:23

Adults can usually answer phone without a temper tantrum!

I object to them essentially saying I’m unreliable.

OP posts:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:23

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/06/2026 09:22

I don’t have a Samsung, I have an iPhone

But a lot of NHS places do this they advertise that a missed appointment costs £££ my dentist always texts me to confirm I’m coming even though I’ve made the appointment. It’s just something that they do so they can offer appointments to other people if you aren’t going to attend.

This isn’t an NHS appointment.

OP posts:
Strictly1 · 28/06/2026 09:23

Adults can usually answer phone without a temper tantrum!

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/06/2026 09:22

I don’t have a Samsung, I have an iPhone

But a lot of NHS places do this they advertise that a missed appointment costs £££ my dentist always texts me to confirm I’m coming even though I’ve made the appointment. It’s just something that they do so they can offer appointments to other people if you aren’t going to attend.

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:20

Lomonald · 28/06/2026 09:20

Why are you being obtuse ? They are providing private health care yes but it is still a medical appointment that they are reminding you of because they have to make sure you are coming and you are not answering your phone so of course they are going to keep ringing you. Yabu

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Why would they assume I won’t attend?

OP posts:
Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:20

LittleRobins · 28/06/2026 09:19

But if you didn’t attend you would still be taking up an appointment time that somebody else could have used.

It’s not hard. Answer your phone and say you’ll attend.

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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.

OP posts:
Lomonald · 28/06/2026 09:20

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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Why are you being obtuse ? They are providing private health care yes but it is still a medical appointment that they are reminding you of because they have to make sure you are coming and you are not answering your phone so of course they are going to keep ringing you. Yabu

LittleRobins · 28/06/2026 09:19

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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But if you didn’t attend you would still be taking up an appointment time that somebody else could have used.

It’s not hard. Answer your phone and say you’ll attend.

Musicaltheatremum · 28/06/2026 09:18

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.

Show quote history

But actually in the private sector waits are getting much longer as more people are using the private sector. It's 3 months to see a specialist privately in Edinburgh for some specialities. So yes they get your money but they could give that slot to someone else if you cancelled it. (I know you're going to go but people don't and it's really frustrating if you could have given that slot to someone else.)

Original poster
londontoibiza · 28/06/2026 09:15

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/06/2026 09:14

I don’t understand why you aren’t answering the phone when you know you’ve got an upcoming appointment and it’s probably not cold calling or randoms. Two of my ongoing medical things come up as No Caller ID so I assume it’s them. Timewasters usually are flagged as Suspected Spam.

I don’t have a Samsung so it’s not flagged as suspected spam.

I really object to having to confirm it like a child. I’m an adult. I have a commitment so I will be attending it. They should trust that.

OP posts:
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