The hospital appointmen system

I recently accompanied my wife to the hospital to get the results of some tests she did some weeks ago. We had an appointment at 12.15 p.m. and we left home at 11.30 a.m. to make sure that we got there on time. There was some accident on the way and we arrived just before noon.

When we got to the bone density unit, the place was packed outside and in. I was not allowed to wait with my wife inside and had to wait outside (why, I don’t know). Anyway, two hours later I asked the nurse behind the counter if she could give me an idea of how much longer we might have to wait as I could go back to work and call again later. She did not know, because there were many people waiting.

I filed a complaint with the customer care unit. They were very nice but could do nothing about the situation either. So I bought The Times and waited. There was an article about how many appointments were wasted as the clients never turned up.

I think what really happens is that the “clients” do turn up, get fed up of waiting and go home. I say “clients” not patients because the word “patients” implies that we need help (which we do) but “clients” implies that we are needed, as:

1. We pay for the service through taxes;

2. The government or whoever is responsible owes the public (his clients) a good service and this is not being provided.

OK, there will be 100 reasons/excuses. None are valid in my opinion; if the kitchen is too hot get out and let someone else have a go.

We waited for three hours in the end, just so that the doctor could tell us that there was nothing wrong (thank God). This could have been done via the post just as easily.