Appointment Times - do you mind waiting?

[Earlybird]

I took dd for an appointment yesterday (fwiw, we arrived on time), and it was 40 minutes past appointment time when her name was called. The assistant escorted dd to the back with a breezy 'sorry we're running a bit behind'.

Do you mind waiting, or do you expect it? How long will you wait before starting to feel agitated?

At a surgery or hospital I don't mind clinics running a little late but I'd appreciate being told when we turn up if we are going to have to hang around for more than, say, 20 minutes.

My bloody dentist kept me waiting for over an HOUR last week - turned out he'd got confused and seen the patient after me before me. First time I've ever actually read the Readers' Digest cover to cover...

Depends what it is and how well the receptionists or whoever keep me informed.

Eg GP surgery - I always get there early as if you're 10 min late the automated system makes you rebook (in reality, wait until the end of morning/pm surgery). On a good day, I get seen on time or early, but other times I've had to wait up to 90 minutes. That one was when two patients had heart attacks or similar and all the GPs had to rush to them and help out when the ambulances arrived. Fair enough. Usually it's just minor delay from GPs actually listening to their patients. Was a bit miffed when a community midwife turned up 20 min late for her first appt of the day with no apology, but as I got there first I got to see the other one who turned up on time.

Consultants - I've had apologies from receptionists saying Mr X is still in surgery elsewhere doing an emergency op - again, fair enough - I'm assuming they're telling the truth. Or when someone fails to show in Audiology, I ask if they can see me instead, but usually get a look of horror and "No! YOU get to see the boss!" - the perils of having 'interesting conditions: good care but a limited supply of people who can do it. At least next week my hearing aids are getting an appointment without me having to be there - apparently they get registered in the system like any other patient, but at least they aren't going to object to having to wait!

Hairdressers or other people I pay had better keep me very well informed and apologise profusely, or I walk out. Even train and bus drivers should be able to manage the apology, even if it's just "As you've noticed, we've had to stop here for ages at a red signal. No-one's told me why or how long we might be here, but I'll keep you posted if anyone tells me anything."

I think general rule is any delay over 10 minutes you should be told about up front so you can get a book/magazine/fresh air etc. Although I nearly fell over in shock when my physio met me for the first time and apologised for lateness - she was about 3 minutes late which must be on time in the NHS time system!

Our GP was 90 minutes late once - turned out the patient before us had had a heart attack in his room and died

Normally, they're 15-30 mins late though

If I have an appointmant with my favourite DR then no, I don't mind waiting. She is hard to get appointments for as she takes the time to listen which is what makes her popular and also prone to running late. But I am forever grateful for the time she took to read the info I'd brought her on ductal thrush and then to prescribe me what was needed as opposed to the two previous GPs at the same practice who had fobbed me off with antibiotics.

Was a bit cheesed off the other day as locum didn't even give me time to flick through a magazine before calling DD3 in for appiontment...such promptness is unheard of!

I'm a m/w and when working in community everyone gets a 15min slot - which just about is enough time to check them over, let them ask questions, discuss anything that needs discussing, documenting in handheld notes and then surgery computer.

If someone turns up and says actually they feel unwell and I have to take blood from them or refer them into the hospital this takes longer. Ditto if someone discloses their dh is beathing them up, they've just been evicted, etc. Or if bump is measuring small and I have to ring hospital to book a scan. Or if some unbooked pregnant woman turns up at the reception knowing there is a clinic that day and tells the recptionist she feels desperatly ill and must see me NOW!

However I will tend to keep the odd appt slot free to allow me catch up so don't overrun too much. But not possible to do this every week.

I HATE it! Even if I'm alone (very rare) it's just such a waste of your time and so frustrating.

Sure, things come up. People take longer than expected. But some others don't show up at all and some people take less than their allotted time. IMO more than 10 minutes is rude.

Dh went into hospital

We arrived an hour early (because we didn't know how long it would take us to get there)

So arrived at 10:30....admitted to the ward at 5:50

So were we 7hrs 20 mins late being seen or only 6hrs 20 mins?