To think the hospital should have told DM that her appointment was cancelled

[DivisionBelles]

Before we made the 80 mile round trip! Pissed off is an understatement. Last minute appointment as is the nature of her particular condition. She needs an operation coordinated with two particular specialisms and it's not possible, apparently, to get this scheduled very far in advance. All good, I managed to take time off work. I work FT, DM is 77 and can't drive that far, nor would I let her.

Get to the hospital in time for the appointment only for them to tell us it's cancelled. Rang the department who arranged the appointment and was told that all patients had been rung yesterday to let them know. Preparing to give them the benefit of the doubt, thinking DM may not have listened to her messages, we drove back home. DM checked her answerphone and no message!

It wouldn't be as bad, but this is the second time that we've wasted going to an appointment. Last time they got the wrong consultant who knew nothing about DM's condition and couldn't help.

Could she have accidentally erased the message? Is her cognitive functioning okay?

Complain to PALs.

I got sent to the wrong hospital for a colonoscopy last week. Letter said hospital B and when we turned up we should have been at A. Nurse said it happens all the time.

We had to go back to A, 3 hour round trip which when you've taken a load of bowel prep....aka most potent laxative known to man was not fun.

Ive complained to PALs and the hospital are going to refund my petrol money and one set of car park fees. Part of me feels bad for getting the money but then I think it's not until it starts hitting them financially that they will sort it. Because it didn't sound like a one off.

I have found out recently there is a lack of joined up thinking in the NHS. Departments and hospitals seem incapable of communicating with each other. Very frustrating.