I have been seeing a consultant at one of my local private hospitals for over a year and have had a fair amount of treatment. It is paid for by both myself and my insurer.
I had some pretty horrible tests done a few months ago and it has taken a long time to catch up with this doctor for various reasons.
During the course of treatment with this Dr I have had many occasions when I have had to deal with his secretary. She is not easy, Everything is at full volume, she interrupts and she is rude. During one conversation, when she had requested that I see the consultant the following day, I said that I couldn't confirm right then, as I would need to move other stuff in the diary. She said that I had to give her an answer straight away as she was leaving the office and wouldn't be back for a couple of days. She started shouting at me, and saying that she had made the appointment and did I want it or not. Right. So, I said, calmly, yes, of course, do make the appointment as agreed, but I have already told you that I cannot confirm until later today. I suggested that I call the hospital and let them know if there is a problem. She told me that "that wouldn't be convenient'. When I questioned this, it appeared that there was only one person who would be inconvenienced, her, as she would have to 'dig out' my notes and take them to the hospital, which would be a waste of her time if couldn't physically get to the appointment. I have to say that I was taken aback, assuming that things would be arranged at the convenience of her boss and his patients/clients, not her.
When I saw the consultant, with whom I get on extremely well, I mentioned to him that this has happened. I have to admit that I wasn't entirely surprised when he told me that I wasn't the first person to complain to him about her.
So, the last few months have been difficult. The emails from her are bizarre - no salutation, no sign off, certainly no niceties (interestingly, whilst I haven't mentioned this in details, she does indicate that she is far too busy to ask after the patients, or say anything nice).
The last 24 hrs truly take the biscuit. I have been trying to get an appointment, having had an nasty accident last week and cancelling the appointment as a result. I finally got a copy of a letter from her. Unfortunately the one line email alongside didn't indicate whether or not it was confirmed, and I couldn't contact her as she was away. My MASSIVE mistake is that I checked with the hospital. I'm going to skip over all this bit, but basically they had no record etc.
So yesterday I received a simply VILE email from her, stating that I had no right to get in touch with the hospital, and how she really couldn't see what was urgent about it. To be honest, is it her affair to ascertain what is or is not 'urgent' for me? to Judge my life?
She now states that she has 'told' the doctor, her employer, that I am 'difficult'. She has also told the hospital! I cannot lie, I actually found that quite funny. Anyway, I have emailed the consultant and told him how difficult things are with her.
So, I now have a situation whereby I cannot deal with my consultant's secretary. How to I go forward from here? I know that there are another couple of consultants specialising in the same area locally. Do I ask someone to take over? How do I go about doing so? My consultant is adorable, and very good. We have built a very strong working relationship.
Any thoughts gratefully received.