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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a hospital appt?

41 replies

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 13:25

Dd (2) needs a minor surgery.

She had it as a baby, and it now needs re-doing.

Should be no more than half an hour unless anything goes badly wrong.
Realistically, 2 minutes (after paperwork).

We got referred by our gp in April.

Made an appt for may at local big-city hospital. This was canceled as the hospital don't do this procedure.

Got forwarded to Liverpool hospital.

Made an appt for August.

Wasn't impressed with that much waiting, but its not an emergency. This was the first one they had.

A couple of days before hand, they canceled this and sent me an appt for November at 9:00. No way I can get there for 9, as it is 2 hours drive and a bit mean to expect any friends to have ds for that long in the morning.

Phoned up, lovely lady agreed. Found us a cancellation for end of October. 11 o clock. Perfect. Booked it. Half term, so ds can come and we can have a day out.

Got another letter saying this has been canceled. Re-booked for end of November. 8:45.

Phoned up again. Explained I can't get there that early. They had no record of new appt!

They did offer me the first appt at 9:10 one the 6th January next year.

Is it that hard to get an appt?

Still waiting for the physio the poor kid should have had in June too...

OP posts:
WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 13:34

Do they not have any parents accommodation you can stay in the night before? Or a local cheap hotel?

babyiwantabump · 15/09/2015 13:39

I've just had an appointment through for an issue my GP referee me for nearly 3 years ago! The appointment is not until January . It is ridiculous OP!

Birdsgottafly · 15/09/2015 13:45

I live in Liverpool, so I realise that we're lucky to have main Hospitals in our City.

Is your DS at school? I don't think it was a big ask for your friend to have him, given the circumstances.

I would of thought it would be easier to get up early and let the children doze in the car.

I think it's either got to be cheap accommodation the night before, or an early start.

It's crap that more and more services are being centralised, but it is supposed to raise Patient care.

Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 13:50

Yes, ds is in school. He leaves about 8 for his bus.

I don't mind an early start, but ds does!

If he went for a sleepover, he would be up all night and probably make everybody late in the morning.

I am reluctant to make plans as they have canceled so many appts without giving reasons. I don't like to mess people around.

Baby, 3 years is impressive! I hope we get seen before then, as this is now affecting her speech and eating!

OP posts:
Distracted34 · 15/09/2015 13:52

You have had appointments but you've cancelled them for your own convenience.

MissFitt68 · 15/09/2015 13:56

I don't get this.... You've been given numerous appointments. If everyone faffed around getting the perfect timing nothing would ever get done, as you are finding out!

arethereanyleftatall · 15/09/2015 13:57

I was with you right up till you said 9am was too difficult.
They haven't been great, but I would just take any appt offered and sort it.
It isn't that much of an ask to ask a good friend to take your ds, given how difficult it is to get an appt.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 14:09

But they haven't cancelled all the appointments (and yes it's annoying they have), you have too.

Operating lists start at 8.30-9am. What would happen if everyone wanted a 11am slot? Someone has to go first, and in some ways it's better as you're not waiting around with a starving child.

Did they say why they cancelled?

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 14:12

If the hospital cancels they have to get you back in within so many weeks (can't remember how many), but you've cancelled all the offered times given.

Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 14:18

I cancelled one!

They canceled the surgery in August. No idea why October was cancelled. They have no record of the one they made for November. So I don't know if this is cancelled or not?

If they hadn't offered me the October one, I would have kept the original November one. I was phoning to find out why they cancelled August when they offered October.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 14:21

And to really wind me up, they send a letter saying "thank you for using choose and book for this appt"

What is the point of choose and book if you can't actually choose?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/09/2015 14:27

It's frustrating but these things happen. I also agree that you can't really pick and choose times.

Is if alder hey? If so they are moving next month so that is bound to have some knock on with appointments so could be why it was cancelled for them.

lardyscouse · 15/09/2015 14:41

You are not being unreasonable to want one. You are being unreasonable to moan after you had cancelled.

Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 15:13

Yes it's alder hey.

I only agreed to it being cancelled. I didn't instigate the cancelling.

I could understand it if I did!

Thanks for the info on them moving. I will continue my enquiries with trying to go elsewhere...

OP posts:
LunchpackOfNotreDame · 15/09/2015 15:17

Can someone like a grand parent not stop at yours overnight and see ds to school bus and you stop over in Liverpool?

LunchpackOfNotreDame · 15/09/2015 15:19

As for getting there early,tough. That's what happens with elective surgeries. We had to get dc to hospital for 7am book in for their op that didn't happen til 11. I didn't drive at the time.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 15:23

If your surgery was at 11am, you'd still have to get there for 7.30am (or whatever time they get everyone in for the morning list).

Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 15:28

Alas, I don't think my dad would pop over from Italy to get ds on his bus!

It would be nice...

I don't think we would need to be there much before our appt time, as I don't think she needs anaesthetic. But the times I have tried to phone the ward, they don't answer their phone. I know they are busy seeing to patients, but surely there is a reception desk?

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 15:29

And to anybody who has driven to alder hey, what is the deal with carparking?

The letter simply says "please don't park on the road"...

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/09/2015 15:32

Car parking is £2 per day. I suggest an appointment as early in the day as possible as otherwise you need about an hour to park!

The new hospital has a multi storey though which will hopefully make things easier

Birdsgottafly · 15/09/2015 15:32

The hospital isn't moving, they've added to it (I've lost half a park that I use for dog walking).

This includes car parking, so you'll be fine.

Sirzy · 15/09/2015 15:34

The old one is bring demolished and a new park created

Original poster
WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 15/09/2015 15:35

£2 a day is good!

My local is £3 an hour (after first 20 mins)

OP posts:
WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 15:38

How come you don't know if she needs an anaesthetic? Is it under local?

Even so, there's usually an allocated time you come in, you have to see the doctor, the nurses have to do paperwork, weight and obs, and they'll have lots of other patients waiting too, nothing is instant.

I work on a surgical ward btw. I didn't know alder hey was changing.

WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere · 15/09/2015 15:38

£2 per day??? Shock