Waiting times nhs rant

[knickerelasticgonetwang]

Hi AIBU to want to physically scream at some people. I work in the nhs booking appointments for physio. Now I am sympathetic that you are in pain but please I am doing my best to get you in as soon as possible but do not appreciate being told I am hiding sooner apt’s from me when I have looked on all our clinicians lists to see the soonest appointment. When will people get it that we are a finite resource I am doing my best I am not to be abused and shouted at which has happened three times today. We also love the comments that my wages pay my wages (well bugger me my wages in part pay me ) All I ask is a little bit more understanding that I am doing my best

I have no issues with the NHS, I found a lump in my breast from seeing the doctor, to having it removed, eight weeks, I have absolutely no issues.

Oh that really fucks me off when people say they pay my wage. Fuck off you don't earn enough to pay my wage.

Some people are just complete idiots aren't they.. Why would you hide appointments. I think you just have to laugh at how ridiculous these people are OP and kill them with kindness.

Idiots are idiots but it's not just in the NHS. Pretty much anyone who is client / customer facing has to deal with wankers.

People are morons! I had a dentist appointment yesterday that I was still sat waiting 50 mins after my time. I would have been late for work if if have waited any longer so I simply went and asked receptionist if I could make another appointment and explained I was going to be late for work .. she was so apologetic I felt bad for her ... Like she has people moaning and kicking off all the time. I simply said it's fine honest, made a new appointment and left ... Why some people think they can be volatile towards someone simply doing their job is beyond me!

I would absolutely never complain to a receptionist but I saw my GP in May about a painful hip condition. She duly made a referral to the correct clinician.

My initial appointment is in November. I do think that’s shit. Not the fault of the staff in any way but it’s inevitable that some people will get exasperated with the nearest target.

Sorry and I hope you are ok.

Having attended A&E on Wednesday, I was given a letter to book a physio app within 48 hours. Yesterday I couldn't get through despite multiple attempts. Today when I could get through, they couldn't find my notes on the system. The lady on the phone apologised again and again, I told her not to worry, I understood, and she could call me back when she had found me on the system. She said "oh thank you, thank you so much" as if I had given her the earth, she sounded so relieved. I couldn't help but feel she had spent the whole day being shouted at and was tearing her hair out. I'm an nhs Director, I do not believe in a hierarchy, and I started doing a role similar to her. She is doing a job just as valuable as anyone else and therefore doesn't deserve a shit time whilst trying to do their job. Some people need to bare in mind they're only human too.

People are mean you don’t deserve that

I have had a number of issues over the past 18 months. I have had no problems at all, and in fact when I was phoned up about my cataract operation and I couldn’t go on the appointment given due to holiday they bent over backwards to get me in straight after the holiday. Two other appointments including a physio one were straight forward.

I do think waiting times are too long for most things, but that’s not the responsibility or fault of the receptionists.

It must also be very frustrating for you seeing all those appointments that people just don’t turn up for

I used to schedule repeat meetings as part of my job which were either 3 or 6 months ahead. I had one regular attendee tell me that 'it was impossible' that the next available room booking was 2.5 months later (which was actually bang on time for the purpose) as we were 'only in January'. Evidently he thought that we had umpteen meeting rooms just sitting there waiting to be used.

If you had posted this about any other admin job people would have been disinterested at best, rude most likely.

Well done for being another unsung hero of the NHS

@pjmask if you worked in the NHS you would understand why many of us are unsung heroes.

I was supposed to go for physio as have chronic sciatica. I avoid doctors and hospitals as much as possible, my thoughts are, there is someone out there worse than me, which is why I didn't go.
I fixed myself by walking. Yup walking and sitting on a bed and stretching my back by turning left, hold and then right, hold.

I was referred to see a specialist by my gp. Not cancer so a non urgent referral. Nhs guidelines state 18 weeks max. My appointment is 7 months from the referral. Guess I’ll either be cured or dead by then.

Chloemol do not get me started on non attendees one week we had ten people not turn up for their appointment as a new patient appointment this meant that all our urgent cases were left waiting.

Guess by “hidden” appointments he thinks you’re triaging him, like gp receptionists do. Don’t they keep back a few appointments free for urgent cases? Trouble is everyone thinks they’re urgent, or at least more urgent than everyone else.

Are you allowed to put the phone down? I work in a similar environment (not nhs) where clients can get abusive over the phone. There is a clear policy to follow, where after saying / requesting certain things you are allowed to hang up, so you are not abused for however long the other person wants to carry on. It’s very clear and fair and gives the other person ample opportunity to start behaving appropriately before being hung up on.

The level of care I have had in the last 3 weeks and getting appointments has been brilliant from the NHS. I saw my Rheumatologist 3 weeks ago and have been approved to go on a very expensive drug, because what I've been on for two years isn't working. I needed chest X-rays and the appointment was through in a week. My Rheumatology Nurse called me on Wednesday and talked through I needed blood tests and various other tests before I start the medication, appointment cane through yesterday for Tuesday morning. That to me is brilliant service.

The government may well say how well they are doing with the NHS, but I ignore that. It's solely down to the hardworking staff and I for one am extremely grateful to them.

PJmask

Are you quite ok?

When we've had appointments that are late, we've been able to get sooner appointments by calling early mornings for cancellations. Recently they set up an online system that can be checked for cancelled appointments and that's fantastic. It's clearly nobody's "fault" if the service is booked out and it's a shame people can't have their appointment delayed or cancelled for rudeness to staff. It might encourage better behaviour.

Yanbu, people are absolute wankers.
I spent a lot of time in hospital recently and all NHS staff from the top consultants to the cleaners and support staff are nothing short of amazing.
Angels on earth! I would never show them anything other than the upmost respect and courtesy. Please know that for every dick head you encounter, there are so many more of us who have your back!

YANBU. But also exceedingly U are the succession of Tory-lead governments who are mostly responsible for the fact that you can't get your patients the care they need in the time they need.