To call the hospital to double check an appointment?

[Strawbsss]

Earlier today, I called my local hospital to double check the time of my CT Colon scan on Monday.

The appointment was rescheduled from the original date and no letter has been sent out to reconfirm the new date or time.

I couldn't remember if the new appointment time was 9am or 10am.

I spoke to the receptionist in the department and explained I was calling to confirm the scan time, she said "well, it's Saturday, you're best ringing on Monday", I explained the appointment was an early one and I live 40 minutes away so I didn't have time to call Monday.

She then asked for my details and said she would look, I'm assuming she thought I was on mute and I heard her say to another colleague "I can't believe how many people think it's okay to ring up just because they've forgotten the time of their appointment!"

I was a bit shocked and if I'm honest, embarrassed. I apologised for ringing but explained I really didn't want to miss my appointment, that's why I called. I told her I had heard what she said and she sounded flustered, saying "well you should have had a letter".

AIBU to call the hospital and ask for confirmation of the time? I'm really worried I've crossed a line and a bit nervous about going on Monday now!

YANBU

YANBU, and I would complain via PALS because that’s bloody unreasonable of her.

She sounds like an idiot, if you’d received letters and text reminders etc then fair enough but that’s not your fault their system can’t keep up and too much room for error sometimes just confirmed verbally the first time

YANBU that's really shocking. I've worked in the NHS and whilst most of the staff are amazing, there are the odd few who think they are doing patients a huge favour by turning up to work. Her customer service skills were awful. I'm sure the clinic would much rather have you phone to check the time than miss it completely.

YANBU this is my job, people call all the time to check their appointments sometimes because they have forgotten and don't want to miss it but often because the bloody apps and online stuff just bombard them with reminders and notices of cancellations and reminders then sends letters and confuses them even more. It only takes a few minutes to look for you and clear up any confusion.

I'm sorry they were rude, you did nothing wrong!

Yanbu, what a bellend

Wow, it amazes me that people like her are able to hang onto jobs. Of course YANBU to double check the timing of your appointment.

She also sounds lazy, trying to push the task of looking up your appointment time to someone else on Monday.

YANBU and don’t worry they won’t even remember on Monday, her snarky behaviour was embarrassment about being heard!
If they have a lot of people having to ring there is obviously a problem with their system so you will be 1 among many.
I personally always liked a phone call with an easy answer!!lol

Ignore her.
I'd just turn up for 9am on Monday though. Either I'd be on time or an hour early. Not an issue.

She was being a massive jobsworth.

But if you have the NHS app, all your letters and appointments should be on there.

Thank you all so much!
I've been stressing all day thinking I've done something wrong. I usually have everything pinned to my fridge but I just didn't have anything physical this time and the appointment was rescheduled around 3 weeks ago.

Thank you xx

What a daft bint.
Plenty people must call to confirm appointments, especially if they've been moved.

I phoned a few weeks ago for the same reason, an appointment has been moved twice, and I had a date in my diary that didn't match the letter, I wasn't sure if the letter was a previous one or current one

Quick call yes that's the date, would you like another letter?

What a good idea, I never knew that.

After reading your post I went to the NHS app which I already have on this device. There are no appointments there, though, hospital or GP, even though I have future appointments booked.

I can see hospital appointments and letters on my hospital’s system, and appointments at my GP surgery from links on the GP practice’s website. There’s nowhere I can see other NHS -related appointments, though.

Perhaps it’s a regional thing?

Calling to confirm an appointment is fine. I'm just surprised there was anyone who could answer that sort of query on a Saturday.

You were fine. Receptionist may have been having a bad day, or may just be a dick, but you did the right thing to double check.

Hope the appointment goes well and that you’re back to good health soon.

Definitely double check because it might have a time for the scan and a time for prep. I have tegular ones. Some I have to turn up to over an hour before the CT but some twenty minutes.

YANBU and I've done this several times, never with any problems at their end. Mind you, I didn't hear what they said when they put me on hold! Seriously I would tell PALS. You don't need to speak to them, do forms etc., just email them.