To cancel another hospital appointment?

[helenabrosa]

Last week, I had to cancel because my son was unwell.

It was arranged again for tomorrow but I've just had a call from his care company to say no respite available now as staff are off sick

AIBU to cancel again? Not sure what else to do - I've been to the department before (colorectal), and it's a huge wait usually, sometimes over an hour before you're seen despite the appointment time etc

If I take him, he will shout (loudly), and try to escape. It is just about doable but it'll mean almost certainly that I'll be bitten and hurt a few times (stressful when I'm there to see a consultant)

I don't have any other choice - it's carer (not available), or take him. Or rebook

Sorry should've added that this is also largely down to not wanting to distress any fellow patients! A lot of us there for suspected cancers/bowel disorders that are going badly and are feeling vulnerable as it is

Gosh, a challenge!
Why not try ringing the department and explain the circumstances? They may be able to find you somewhere to wait aside from others in the clinic, or see if they can change your appointment to start or finish of the clinic.
Sadly, some places take a dim view of cancelled appointments, so an explanation would help them (i'm not saying their attitude is correct, btw!)

I’d ask if you could be seen first. We do try and see those with unusual circumstances - I’ve occasionally told patients to arrive 10 mins early when I know I’ll be there. Speak to the consultants secretary and see if they could pass on a message.

Thank you - a consultant's secretary would usually be my first shout as they know more, but it's just a general hospital number and they don't even like giving out the direct dial for departments

I will try and chase something in a bit

Ideally I don't want to miss out for myself either as I need to know what's going on moving forward

I think you can rebook once, if you try to rebook a second time they might kick you back to your GP? I think this happened to me once but it was regarding orthopedic trauma/hip surgery. So different department. Ask them. If you'll get kicked out for rebooking then you'll have to bring your child I guess.

If it's your first appt with that department it's probably booked by an outpatient booking centre team. That's how it works for the hospital I work in and a few others have same process. Therefore secretary won't be able to help if that's the case.
But give them a call and explain but yes with 2 cancellations they may discharge you back to GP.

If you can't get through to anyone to discuss it just go anyway. Even if you end up having to reschedule in person once you're there, the appointment isn't wasted in the sense the hospital can still charge for your appointment and it also won't go down as a cancellation on your part which could result in being discharged to your GP if it's a second cancellation.