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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctor's appointment

537 replies

10greenapples · 04/08/2017 12:03

I missed a drs appointment for my dd as I just wasn't going to make it on time. Anyway today I recieved a letter which says if one more appointment is missed she won't be allowed another one for 6 months! We can cancel an appointment but need to give an hours notice. So we will only be seen at the walk in if another is missed which is 8am-11am and a 2 hour wait. Aibu in thinking this seems pretty harsh?!

OP posts:
PutItOnYourPancake · 04/08/2017 15:53

You've never heard of anyone calling the GP to apologise for missing an appointment?! Maybe that's because it goes without saying, OP...

Slimthistime · 04/08/2017 15:53

OP you say you don't usually use the GP

perhaps that's why you don't know what the issues are with the appointments

but please trust us when we say you should have apologised afterwards if there was no way to contact them before, they are under huge strain, and it's important to treat the service with respect.

paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking · 04/08/2017 15:54

What....you never realised apologising for missing an appointment was a thing?????? What ever, in any circumstance? So if it was hair appointment at your regular hairdressers you'd just no show with no further contact?

Sorry really does seem to be the hardest word!

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 04/08/2017 15:55

Of course you call the surgery if you've missed an appointment. It's called basic manners! My surgery actually call you if an appointment is missed for a child, I once genuinely forgot a routine appointment for my son, booked 6 weeks in advance. They called to check everything was ok, I was so embarrassed and apologised over and over.
You should call anybody you have missed an appointment with, your time is not more precious than anybody elses

Lweji · 04/08/2017 15:57

I think most people who miss an appointment either call in to see if it's still possible to be seen, or try to reschedule. So, they call in anyway with an apology.

These days most people do carry mobile phones with them, with credit on them, and do phone to warn that they're late or about to miss the appointment.

FeralBeryl · 04/08/2017 15:59

OP has already said SWBU Grin

Hope your daughter is feeling better Flowers

But.. if there is any chance, please allow double the travel time anywhere for appointments at the moment, you'll find a lot of councils seem to do roadworks during the main school holidays (old fashioned factory fortnight) I've been noticeably delayed this week for the same.
If you had called afterwards, it probably would have meant you wouldn't have even received the letter as they would have seen it as a genuine reason.
Also - you surgery will have an email address, you can always contact them this way for admin purposes or to apologise
That extra time wasted could have been used for the GP to make a telephone appointment with a patient, an emergency 'walk in' patient could have been squished in, all manner of other things we don't know about.
It's really just manners, we tend to not see bigger places as actual people, but we should.

SteppingOnToes · 04/08/2017 16:00

Not unreasonable - some state that 2 missed appointments and they wipe you from their books. You do know how hard it is to get an appointment in the first place - respect others and be on time.

RedRose2003 · 04/08/2017 16:02

You seriously needed to have "heard of it" to realise that it's polite to apologise for missing an appointment? In what possible way could it be polite not to do so? The fact that it was a GP is completely irrelevant.

paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking · 04/08/2017 16:02

The thing is, people make mistakes...all the time. I'm prone to letting my phone battery run down so can completely see how you can get stuck and not be able to call ahead.

BUT you have to own your mistakes, and apologise to those who are affected by your lack of memory/organisation etc. Not think the world is harsh for not letting you go on your merry little way.

AaoograhaHoa · 04/08/2017 16:02

Hahahahaha. OP - I am almost in awe of your stubborn, belligerent, refusal to see what you did wrong.

It's simple. You were rude - that was your fault, and you were wrong. The surgery were not harsh - you are wrong on that also.

Clearly you don't give a toss because when somebody actually cares they don't make excuses they apologise, make good and move on.

"Excuses are lies we use so that it doesn't have to be our fault"

Original poster
10greenapples · 04/08/2017 16:03

It's a long walk to the gp after I get off the bus so I'm not walking all the way up wasting my time. I've done that to appointments I've been late to before (not gp) and always been told I won't be seen.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 04/08/2017 16:04

You missed the appointment due to unforseen circumstances that couldn't be helped and didn't allow enough notice to cancel. YANBU.

Not having credit on your phone to call and let them know. YABVU.

It doesn't matter if you were outside of their official cancellation policy, it is common courtesy that you call and explain.

Original poster
10greenapples · 04/08/2017 16:05

No one I know drives so I'm not gonna get emergency credit just Incase cos I can't think of any situation I would need to use it and sorry I would rather that £5 went on food or electric.

OP posts:
AaoograhaHoa · 04/08/2017 16:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
10greenapples · 04/08/2017 16:07

Ofcourse she had to come with me on my errands she has legs! Sorry but I had important other things to do and not everyone has child care.

OP posts:
Coconutspongexo · 04/08/2017 16:07

Oh my days, admit you were wrong and end the thread how can you make so many excuses? How can you be so stubborn??

PutItOnYourPancake · 04/08/2017 16:07

Haha so it's ok to waste the GP's time but yours is far too precious... oh dear, OP. I think we are wasting our breath! You are totally lacking in basic manners and suffering with a huge entitlement complex: nothing any of us say is going to get through to you Grin.

Sirzy · 04/08/2017 16:07

If you are regularly late for appointments perhaps you need to look at your organisational and timekeeping skills....

Coconutspongexo · 04/08/2017 16:08

You can't think of any situation you would need £5 credit?! THIS EXACT SITUATION IS WHEN YOU WOULD NEED IT.

Ffs

PutItOnYourPancake · 04/08/2017 16:09

The refusal to always have £5 emergency credit is ridiculous too. You are an adult with responsibility for a child. Grow up.

Original poster
10greenapples · 04/08/2017 16:09

It's not my timing, it's having kids love! Things come up out of control!

OP posts:
Slimthistime · 04/08/2017 16:09

okay OP I get that your finances are really tight

There is a walk in where they will see your child even if you do miss another appointment so you are not being penalised really anyway, they will still see your child if she is ill.

I guess you are having a hard time right now but perhaps when things are better the policies will seem more sensible to you. But it does amaze me that you can't see how much pressure the NHS is under and missed appointments matter.

AaoograhaHoa · 04/08/2017 16:10

Yup. Agree, Putiton, total waste of effort.

I am out (As they say).

Sirzy · 04/08/2017 16:10

Because of course your the only person to have children Hmm

FlyingFox95 · 04/08/2017 16:10

HAHAHAHAH these pathetic excuses are making my day. Just phone and apologise if you're late like a normal person.

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