Can't get through to cancel!

[Ellessdee]

Been away for work meeting. About to drive back but my car has broken down. AA can't fix it (they're unable to diagnose the issue) so need to take to local garage tomorrow. Work have put me in a hotel overnight. Have an appointment with cardiology for minor surgery at 7.45 tomorrow morning. Can't get through to hospital to cancel (just rings out) and apparently their phones open at 8. What do I do? Just not show up?

will your gp surgery pick up the phone ? they may have a more direct means of contact

Is it part of a larger hospital? If so, call the switchboard or another department.

That's a good idea I'll try this

I'm trying that now, it's been ringing for 11 minutes.

I would call the main hospital switchboard.

Sorry just saw you are. Good luck.

No, we don't

I feel like the surgeon will be a bit pissed off but there's literally nothing I can do about it. Just one of those things. Very, very annoying as I've waited ages for the appointment too. Gutted.

No chance you can get back? you'll wait months for another slot. Train?

Thanks for this. Don't want to bother anyone, just don't want a surgeon waiting for me if they could be doing something else.

In your position I would be prioritising getting back for the operation.

Call the local garages and let them know your situation and ask to drop car off this evening. I’m sure someone will be able to help. Then travel back by public transport.

If no garage, then park car up somewhere safe and travel back.

Don't just hit turn up or you run the risk of being discharged. Keep trying tonight or first thing in the morning.

Or I'd leave the car and go on public transport.

Phone switchboard and ask to be put through to the cardiologists secretary.

Really can't afford to leave my car. Work will either pay for me to get a hotel or a train back. If I then have to get a train back tomorrow to collect my car I'll be out of pocket by around £100 as I'll have to pay another train fare. I've spoken to a garage who think they know what the problem is and they've said they'll fix tomorrow. If they can't fix it I'll have to take it from there.

Hire a car and go to the Apt. Sort out logistics of your own car later - health is more important

I would if I had the money but I don't.

If it is a work car then hire car to replace it whilst it is out of action should be a work expense.

AA guy is taking it to garage now rather than tomorrow which is helpful!

Pretty sure work aren't responsible for paying car hire for my broken down car. They've said they can either pay my train home or for a hotel, as a train home is what they'd pay for people who don't drive, and the hotel is cheaper than the train home so they're also happy to pay for this.

This is v unfortunate timing for you OP

however, ‘I’d be out of pocket £100’ is a really bad reason!! A GP appointment ‘costs’ about £50 to the NHS, how much do you think your missed surgery would cost?

You really should: get the garage to pick up your car or park it somewhere safe and drop them the keys

Take a train home and go to your appointment. Sort out the car later

If you were paying for this appointment privately you would not even think twice, just because it’s the NHS it’s not free: we are all paying

Yeah. I understand that, but it wouldn't be a missed appointment if the hospital were answering their phones. The phone lines are apparently open until 5.30.

Where are you op?

Yorkshire at the moment

That's why I said IF it was a work car.

But if it isn't then it isn't.