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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not turn up? Not sure what else I could have done.

35 replies

TenTenEleven · 27/01/2023 17:22

I have a hysteroscopy booked first thing Monday morning. Part of the reason I'm having it is to investigate erratic bleeding and irregular periods.

They told me when they confirmed the appointment that if I was bleeding they wouldn't be able to do the procedure so I'd have to ring and reschedule.

Of course, today I came on my period (a week late). Brilliant. I've been at work all day and my phone has to stay in my locker. So the only chance I had to call them to reschedule was on my lunch hour. I spent most of that hour hitting redial trying to get through. But it was either engaged or kept ringing and ringing until I was automatically disconnected. I had to give up in the end so that I could grab some food and eat it before my lunch break was over.

I don't know what to do. Obviously I won't be able to have the procedure on Monday morning. WIBU to just not turn up and ring them after my scheduled appointment time? Or should I still attend anyway even though it can't go ahead? It's about an hour round trip could really do without wasting the petrol tbh.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 27/01/2023 17:24

Just ring Monday morning. They don't know when your period started!

mathanxiety · 27/01/2023 17:24

Is there an email address? Any chance of sending a letter? A fax number - if you could find somewhere to send one from...

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/01/2023 17:27

Call reception and ask where to email - and ask her to put you through to both the unit and the secretaries office so you can leave messages

You could get pushed back on the list for just not turning up so don’t do that.

Original poster
TenTenEleven · 27/01/2023 17:29

mathanxiety · 27/01/2023 17:24

Is there an email address? Any chance of sending a letter? A fax number - if you could find somewhere to send one from...

There's literally no other contact details except for the one phone number at the top of the letter they sent me. I even called the main hospital switchboard and asked to be transferred to the department but I guess I just ended up going through to the same number because it just rang out again.

OP posts:
ValenciaOrange · 27/01/2023 17:48

Is it definite that they won't do it whilst you are bleeding.
I have a hysteroscope to investigate a very heavy month long post menopausal bleed and it was done whilst I was bleeding. Maybe turn up and speak to the doctor on Monday

ValenciaOrange · 27/01/2023 17:49

*had

2bazookas · 27/01/2023 17:49

If you can't get through by phone , I'd go anyway. Then they won't classify you as a no-show and drop you to the bottom of the waiting list .

Annoying but worth it.

SeaToSki · 27/01/2023 17:50

I had one done while I was bleeding. I would just turn up and see what they say

itswednesdayy · 27/01/2023 17:55

When I was referred to gynaecology a few years ago, I was able to rearrange my appointment through my NHS account.

Alternatively perhaps take some tranexamic acid? Check with your GP to see if this will be suitable. Your GP may be able to email your consultant directly. Well worth seeing if your GP is open on Saturdays.

itswednesdayy · 27/01/2023 17:58

If you do attend, they might attempt your procedure and it could go ahead as normal.

MimiandFifi · 27/01/2023 18:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

LimitlessSky · 27/01/2023 18:06

I would go, because they might go ahead with it anyway once you are there. Just explain.

Napmum · 27/01/2023 18:12

Email the Pals department at the hospital (should be on the hospital website). This is Patient Advice and Liaison Department, basically complaints and customer service all in one. It is a legal requirement for every NHS Trust to have one.

Say it is a complaint, so your inconvenience is logged, and ask them to inform the department and get them to call you to reschedule.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/01/2023 18:33

Yeah I’d go along and tell them in person. The only thing you can do really.

BatshitBanshee · 27/01/2023 18:34

If you have the time booked off already, I'd probably travel up to inform them on Monday morning. Pain in the arse but at least they might rebook you sooner than if you didn't show. If you had the same thing on Monday where no one answered the phone you could be in for a much longer wait.

Pleasecreateausername13 · 27/01/2023 18:35

Not sure why you wouldn’t have discussed with your manager and asked if you could take time away to try and get in contact with the hospital. Your work would have had to have let you make the call.

Original poster
TenTenEleven · 27/01/2023 19:36

Pleasecreateausername13 · 27/01/2023 18:35

Not sure why you wouldn’t have discussed with your manager and asked if you could take time away to try and get in contact with the hospital. Your work would have had to have let you make the call.

Even if it took me over an hour to get through? I can't see my work giving me that much leeway to sit on the phone for an hour instead of working.

I'll try emailing PALS over the weekend. That's a good suggestion. I can't really afford to spend the petrol driving all the way over there if they might turn me away.

OP posts:
AmyFl · 27/01/2023 19:42

I had a hysteroscopy done during a period, I would attend the appointment and see what they say.

starpatch · 27/01/2023 19:46

Oh god I sympathise as have been trying and failing to get through the NHS recently. This is absolutely not your fault. I just would be worried if you just don't turn up you will be discharged back to your GP. I would try ringing at 9am Monday morning- that used to be a good time to get through to these sorts of lines although at the moment there is probably no good time.

I really don't understand why the NHS would skimp on receptionists and call handlers when they are paid so low.

Ineedacoffee · 27/01/2023 19:51

I think very likely they will do it anyway. You can hysteroscope even if bleeding. Not ideal but possible. If you have any tranexamic acid at home take it but otherwise just go - you will be day 4 so hopefully settling and a good chance they will do it.

Changeisneeded · 27/01/2023 19:55

I have a hysterocopy on Tuesday and I am bleeding and they’ve said that is fine as lots of women are bleeding which is why they have it!

crosspusscrossstitcher · 27/01/2023 19:56

@TenTenEleven Phone the hospital main number/switchboard and see if they can take a message/pass on your apologies.
I did this just before christmas. I couldn't leave the house due to horrendously heavy peri-period which began on the friday evening.
Not sure they got it, but I did what I could.

Cath667 · 27/01/2023 19:59

It makes no difference! Definitely go. I was bleeding continuously and had a hysteroscopy. It wasn't a problem. Just tell them.

LivingOnAPrayerYes · 27/01/2023 20:04

Pleasecreateausername13 · 27/01/2023 18:35

Not sure why you wouldn’t have discussed with your manager and asked if you could take time away to try and get in contact with the hospital. Your work would have had to have let you make the call.

@Pleasecreateausername13

Eh? You have no idea what job the OP does. (or is this just another case of mumsnetters believing that all work places work the same as theirs and finding it impossible to think outside their own bubble)

Just off the top of my head..
You'd expect a teaching assistant to babysit OP's class for a few hours instead of being taught the lesson she'd planned because she's on the phone; you'd expect her next disabled client to not get their home visit because OP's boss agreed it was fine for her to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to phone the ward; you'd think it fine that OP's next grocery delivery didn't get delivered because she sat in a layby on the phone; you'd be happy as a client for OP to cancel (at no notice) your in-person meeting (that you'd travelled an hour for) that was arranged for 1pm to discuss your divorce proceedings / upcoming operation / mortgage application / adoption options, because she needed to continue to try to phone the ward...?

Pleasecreateausername13 · 27/01/2023 20:04

LivingOnAPrayerYes · 27/01/2023 20:04

@Pleasecreateausername13

Eh? You have no idea what job the OP does. (or is this just another case of mumsnetters believing that all work places work the same as theirs and finding it impossible to think outside their own bubble)

Just off the top of my head..
You'd expect a teaching assistant to babysit OP's class for a few hours instead of being taught the lesson she'd planned because she's on the phone; you'd expect her next disabled client to not get their home visit because OP's boss agreed it was fine for her to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to phone the ward; you'd think it fine that OP's next grocery delivery didn't get delivered because she sat in a layby on the phone; you'd be happy as a client for OP to cancel (at no notice) your in-person meeting (that you'd travelled an hour for) that was arranged for 1pm to discuss your divorce proceedings / upcoming operation / mortgage application / adoption options, because she needed to continue to try to phone the ward...?

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Oh have a day off love.

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