not suitable for a medical appointment on zoom

[elliejjtiny]

Got a phone call about ds aged 7 from the genetics department of our big regional hospital. They wanted to arrange a zoom appointment for next week. Fine but I'm confused as although ds has some medical problems and learning difficulties we haven't seen or heard from the genetics drs since he was a baby and only the ones at our local hospital. I asked the lady on the phone what it was about but she didn't know.

Fine, only a week to wait I thought but then 10 mins later the lady phones again. She said sorry, she made a mistake and ds isn't suitable for a video call, it has to be face to face. But they aren't doing face to face appointments at the moment so we have to wait until they are (who knows when that will be) and then join a 9 month backlog queue.

Meanwhile I have no idea what's going on or how to find out. Anyone else experienced this? I can't think of any reason why he wouldn't be suitable for a zoom appointment or even why we are seeing them in the first place.

That's weird - tried your GP and/or phoning the hospital again?

That's odd. Has anything changed recently that might have been flagged up by your doctor? Slowed growth etc?
I'm thinking they'd only need to see him in person if they have to do a physical examination?
Also we had a genetics appointment earlier this week over zoom that didn't work and had to do it over phone call. Maybe they've got problems with the video calls too?

Try PALS if you can't get any any answers about what its regarding. Patients should know what their appointments are for!

I would call back and ask to speak to someone who can tell me on the basis that it is causing anxiety. And go to PALS if necessary.

Thankyou. I rang them again and begged for any information they could give me. She said it was to do with a research study that we were part of about 6 years ago but they were sorry they couldn't tell me any more. I asked how long the wait would be and she said that at our local hospital they have cancelled all face to face appointments but at other hospitals they haven't. I said I'd rather travel to another hospital than wait months so we are now booked in at a different hospital in 2 weeks time. So big relief all round.