Aibu about this appointment time?

[QuestionableMouse]

It's for 8:30am an hour away! I've rebooked it once because I just can't figure out how to make it work. It involves me getting drops in my eyes so I can't drive, and the only person I can ask is my sister who has two kids to get to school at 8:20. No breakfast club or partner to help, and our parents can't help because both are elderly and really struggle on a morning, especially in the cold weather.

I explained all of this when I rang and the reception team said they'd book me in the afternoon clinic but another letter has just arrived and it's the same time!

I just can't figure out how to make it work!

Need to get from Hartlepool to Sunderland by 8:30, which from experience is at least 45mins but usually longer due to traffic. Can't drive myself due to the eye drops. Have no-one to ask but my sister who has two kiddos who need to be at school at 8:20 (that's the earliest we can drop them off). No other help.

It's not possible, is it? 🙁

A taxi

Could you stay overnight in an Airbnb or similar and get public transport home? Or, how soon after the drops can you drive? Could you drive yourself but then hang around in Sunderland for the day and drive back in the evening?

Taxi, bus, train, uber?

can you get public transport rhere and then picked up afterwards?

Do you have an email or phone number for the consultant’s secretary? In my experience they’re usually very helpful. If this is something like glaucoma then you need to have the treatment. Is hospital transport an option?

The person who booked the appointment probably only saw 8.30am and didn't read the rest.

I would call again and ask to change to the afternoon. Say what time you are free to avoid the same error ie between 1-2pm or whatever.

Eye hospital?

I'll take you! Just pm me - genuinely no problem. I'm in Teesside, but will happily take you -eyes are precious !

I was there last week, in and out in 5 mins😁

Type it into google maps using public transport option. There is a train and a short bus journey (assuming you are going to the royal hospital). 52 minutes total time...

It's not for something that needs treatment - it's to see if I can have a minor op to which may improve a eye problem that I have. But it's not something that's getting worse or is going to get worse.

I've looked at public transport but it's about two hours and last time I got the train it broke down so we were stuck for ages!

Yep, eye hospital!

Thank you, will get back to you if I can't figure something else out!

I absolutely cannot afford a taxi unfortunately.

Ask your consultants secretary about hospital transport

Honestly, I'd be more than happy to help xx

Ring the office and find out how long the effect of the eye drops will last. It may be possible to drive yourself there and then sit in a coffee shop for an hour or so until you can drive again.

Could you afford a taxi there and then get picked up by sister after?

Any local medical transport options?

How lovely 😊

The drops don’t last that long. Maybe a hour or two? Take sunglasses though as they can make you light sensitive until they wear off.

It says "may cause blurred vision for up to 24 hours" and that the appointment may take up to 2 hours so I don't think driving myself back is a good plan.

Will give the secretary a ring again tomorrow and see what can be done, and if not I'll take @Fartooold up on their very kind offer! 😁

Taxi prices are ridiculous at the moment, we were charged £50 for a 19min trip across Manchester last month!! ...Nope, not exaggerating.

Train? It's about a half hour train isn't it?

It's about 20mins from the station to the eye hospital, plus about 30mins from my house to the station in Hartlepool plus however long the train takes from Hartlepool to Sunderland. Google is putting it at at least 1:45!

Could you not drive up early and then put the drops in and hang around there? Although if not able to drive after it does leave you a little stuck. I think in this situation it probably has to be a taxi unfortunately

..... which she can't afford.

What's the point in thinking out loud on an internet forum? 😂

Well, yes. But you've already excluded all the other options.

What's wrong with a 1.45 journey in the morning and another one in the afternoon as a one off?

What a lovely gesture 🌻