DC has a suspected fractured wrist. Took her to A&E when it happened. They x-rayed and splinted it and gave me a printed appointment enter for the Virtual Fracture Clinic. There was a day and time on the letter for this coming week. I clarified with the nurse if they would stick to the appointment time given and was told it was very unlikely - the team meet in the morning and then decide the order of calls. I contacted the clinic appointment line and after a significant time on hold I was able to clarify that on fact they might call at any time of the day. If you don't answer, you are knocked off the list and have to phone to rebook for the next clinic.
I am a primary school teacher and DH is a secondary teacher. At great hassle, I rearranged my PPA time and have managed to arrange some cover for other out of class time I am owed so I can be available for the whole day. Speaking to a friend earlier, she told me thay when she had an appointment with this clinic, they didn't even call on the day of the appointment but the following day.
There is no way I can be out of class for more than one day. I only have another adult with me for a couple of hours a day and I teach KS1 so can't just answer the phone in the middle of the lesson. Coverage is patchy in my room anyway. Is this really the way things operate now? I'm worried my DC will miss appropriate treatment because I can't answer the phone.