I went to the hospital this morning. I had to get up at 6 am to be ready in time (it was a 7.40 appointment). I got to bed late because I forgot to book a taxi until it was time for bed and it took me 35 minutes to make the booking as they have messed about with the site since I last used it. I then slept badly.
Sumac blooming, or whatever it does
In the end, having allowed time for being held up on the way, I wasn’t held up, so arrived early. There were no volunteers with wheelchairs, so I had to walk. I was nearly knocked over several times by people walking on the wrong side of the corridor and/or staring at phone screens. (Plus a few other near misses due to overtaking and wheelchairs).
I arrived before the reception in Diagnostic Imaging. Reception opens at 9.00. Why, I wonder, do they start booking people in for appointments before then?
Not that it mattered for me. Arrived at 7.30. Instructed to arrive for 7.40. Reception opened at 7.45 in the end, though she did complain she wasn’t paid for working before 8..00, Appointment time 7.50. Eventually seen at 8.10. So, seen 30 minutes after I was instructed to arrive. Considering that the letter they had sent told me not to be late (in capital letters) as they may not see me, and said that missed appointments lengthened waiting lists, I was a little put out, particularly as this was the appointment they had set up after cancelling my previous one at 24 hours notice.
When I did get seen there was further delay as there was no gel. How do you run out of gel in a department that specialises in ultrasound scans. I have now had ultrasound scans on six parts of my body (some of them several times) and they have never failed to have copious supplies of gel. It’s like garage running out of oil or a pizzeria running out of cheese.
However, it was a warm spring day, the sky was blue, the birds were singing and we all had a good laugh about it. To conclude, the scan showed “nothing sinister”, so I was even happier. I hate it when they say “nothing sinister”, as it immediately makes me think of sinister things.
I then went home and slept for most of the day in front of a fan as temperatures rose. It has net been a productive day.
Garden Flowers
I am glad you are alright. Imagine what it is like when these people have a lost day.
https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-5/the-plight-of-the-pine-cone-cowboy/
A lost day in their profession is clearly an important thing. I’m surprised there is any planting going on at all after all the cuts and threats of cuts.
Life is tenuous for many at this time.
My life and career was not marked by traditional success or the burden of wealth, but at least I didn’t rely on capricious government policy for work.
All the same, “Nothing Sinister” is a good outcome. We think that you are quite lucky in a way in spite of timekeeping problems as it is an 80 mile drive if we go to hospital with no public transport alternative available.
Yes, it is a good result compared to the alternative. It wasn’t an accident that we ended up so close to a hospital. A few years ago we looked at moving to the Lincolnshire coast but decided we wanted easier access. So far it has paid off. 🙂
Sorry you had such hard day aaat the hospital. What. The. Heck!
On days like that I remind myself that not everyone has such easy access to healthcare. I must be more cheerful.
damn wedding
It was an action packed week – wedding, gained a daughter in law, saw No2 son and partner for first time in three years (I keep thinking of calling her my daughter out law . . .) met grandson for first time, became (briefly) happy, went to reception and two BBQs, burnt my bald head, noticed the clutch was slipping, booked in for expensive car repair. Phew! 🙂
depends on definition of productive. you got to an appointment, got annoyed, went home…
At this time of the month “productive” means I have made progress with my submissions. With missing the best part of a week for the wedding, I am falling behind. 🙂
Dreadful treatment by the hospital, beginning with giving you such an unfriendly time in the first place
The cancelled appointment was at a better time but was 15 miles away so it’s swings and roundabouts. As a man who has had several jobs where being in the right place at the right time was important I am perplexed by the attitude of organisations towards such things.
I have a new doctor. The fellow I have had for the last ten years had the unmitigated gall to retire with his doctor wife to the beach house they own on the coast where he spends his days lounging in deckchairs. The new fellow has an interesting attitude to time. He has the staff book appointments at ten minute intervals. and he is then very meticulous and talks with each patient for as long as is necessary. My last appointment was set down for 3.15. I saw him at 4.00. I booked my next appointment for 9.00. The girl on the desk said the earliest was 9.30. I reckon if I am the earliest I won’t have to wait so long. But one of the staff said he usually arrives about fifteen minutes late in the morning and she smiled – ruefully.
That’s my theory too – early appointments should mean less delay. It was notable yesterday that some staff seemed to be late – not that I was in a picky mood, or I might have pointed out that arrive 8.40 for an 8.50 appointment means I am called through at 8.50 and they have gel ready for the examination.