to think 8.20am is a stupid time for a hospital appointment?

[faintpinkline]

I'm pregnant and have been told I need consultant led care because of my history. I've received the appointment letter for 8.20 on a Monday morning. I already have one child who needs to get to school and dp won't be there as he works away during the week. Obviously at 8.20 I'll be dealing with getting dd to school. Also I don't drive and the hospital is miles away - even if I could get there I'd need to leave about 6.45am to get there by bus so getting child care for Dd would be nearly impossible

I phone the hospital, explained the situation and they said that's fine we'll send you a new appointment. I've just received one for 8.20 on the Tuesday morning - strangely the same situation applies. I phoned again and was told "most women prefer early appointments and the consultant can not change the appointment again to suit you". I told them DP was back on Thursday night so I could do Friday morning as a possibility only to be told that the consultant only works Monday to Wednesday. I asked to be transferred to a different consultant which is apparently not possible either.

Sorry for such a long post just really upset and I don't want anyone knowing I'm pregnant yet either so hard to ask friends for help.

I have to see a consultant soon, the hospital booked the appointment for me when I was last there and said "we've given you 9.30am so you can take the children to school first" - no reason why the hospital you are with can't be as accommodating IMO.

A lot of clinics are run that way. I once turned up at 930 for a 10am appointment and was seen at a few minutes to 1. I was scared to go to the toilet in case I missed being called.

In the late stages of my last pregnancy an 820 appointment would have stressed me out. The hospital is some distance away involving 2 bus rides totalling almost 2hrs travelling. The real catch being the first bus is just after 7.

the booking system also takes into account people who cancel or just don't turn up i'm afraid - i'd rather wait a few hours on the day because they over book the clinic than weeks/months because they don't.

There are other ways of dealing with DNAs though - things like giving people suitable appointments in the first place, or reminding people before the appointment. Even if you do overbook a bit, that still doesnt need telling everyone to come first thing in the morning.

YANBU. There are probably women on their first baby who don't want to miss work being given an appointment at 2pm or something.

My Granny kept getting appointments at 5pm. She is 86 and could go any time in the day, and would prefer it not to be rush hour.

I have an 8.30 obs consultant appt this morning, I was the first seen and didn't see her until 9.30... By the time I'd also had good taken I didn't leave ypuntil 10.30.

yanbu at all OP.

it's ridiculous to book you in again for the same time.

there must be people who literally CANNOT get there for that time in the morning.. is that just tough luck for them?

I would be tempted to call them and say you can't do the tuesday either,

then talk to whoever referred you in the first place and explain the situation and see what they can do?

Wow, so many typos, sorry!

OP I just want to say you sound lovely and have been so reasonable as people have pointed things out. It must be a really stressful time for you after all you have been through.

I've read War and Peace and it is pretty heavy going but great to be able to say you've done it!

I hope your morning sickness improves soon, look after yourself and good luck.

It sounds like they are trying to add you to an already full list. -Typically a hospital clinic is booked in half days so Dr X has mon 9am-1pm and Tue 9am - 1pm, the same clinic is then booked for Dr Y Mon 2 - 5pm and Dr Z Tue 2 - 5.

The Dr normally doesn't just work those days, those are just the clinic days, other time is spent in theatre, on ward rounds, writing letters to GPs delivering babies etc.

The hour in between allows for a little run over but is mostly for clinic staff to set up equipment / prep rooms.

With an afternoon appointment patients can be added on at the end of the day but for a morning appointment the only option is to put you in before the official clinic start.

I know this doesn't help you but is just to show that they are not just being unreasonable. And you wouldn't believe the reasons people give for wanting a change of appointment.

Phone PALS and ask for transport / some other soloution.

Good luck OP I hope you can get this sorted I know how difficult it can be.
I live in Manchester but my Son had an appointment in LIVERPOOL for 8am, obviously it was just an error and they reconfigured the appointment for Manchester.

I'm genuinely sorry for your predicament but I did laugh at the thick as mince administrator organising the second appointment for the same time!

Yabu in assuming that everyone has the same requirements as you. For me 8.20 would be ideal as it would minimise the time off work I needed. The worst thing for me would be something like 10 or 11 am which would cut right across the working day.

Can't you make other arrangements for your child as a one off? I imagine the hospital runs this clinic on only certain days/times so as that is when the consultant is working there she/he is probably at other locations the rest of the week