Private health appt - doctor not even there!

[psychocandy]

Really annoyed with this. Made private appointment with my wife because shes been ill recently.

 

Turned up for appointment, showed us to waiting room, sat there for 30 mins. I went back to reception - turns out doctor wasn't even there, she'd been on maternity leave for 7 weeks!

 

I'm self-employed consultant so this waste of time has cost me a fair bit of money. If we hadn't showed for appointment hospital would have charged us for a missed appointment.

 

I'm going to complain but surely they should compensate me for any loss? And don't even get me started that theres now a further delay while wife has to find another appointment.

 

(p.s. Anyone looking to use this thread to criticise my choice of using private medicine - don't bother not interested in your opinion)

[citizenB]

I agree with you absolutely. The surgery should have advised you that the doctor was not available.

 

I see no reason why you cannot put an invoice in for your time.

 

Had they not even made any arrangements for a different doctor to see your wife ?

[psychocandy]

Nope. Not yet. All we got is 'all we can do is apologise' and we'll see if another doctor has any free appointments next week.

[citizenB]

That isnt a particularly good example of Private Health Care is it ?

 

IMHO, I would indeed make an official complaint to the Private Clinic and enclose an invoice for your time.

 

The very least they could have done was to have contacted you prior to the appointment date to let you know that the Doctor would not be available.

 

This is the kind of treatment you expect from the NHS who really do not care about the patient. You dont expect it from the Private Sector.

[citizenB]

and not even tell you when you arrive for the appointment that the doctor is not available.. just adds insult to injury.

[paulfoel]

That isnt a particularly good example of Private Health Care is it ?

 

IMHO, I would indeed make an official complaint to the Private Clinic and enclose an invoice for your time.

 

The very least they could have done was to have contacted you prior to the appointment date to let you know that the Doctor would not be available.

 

This is the kind of treatment you expect from the NHS who really do not care about the patient. You dont expect it from the Private Sector.

 

Exactly! Get it all the time from the NHS but I expected better....

[paulfoel]

and not even tell you when you arrive for the appointment that the doctor is not available.. just adds insult to injury.

 

I know. The receptionist said doctor X is in room 999 so if you just wait there in the waiting room. We sat there and then realised that it looked like the light was off and after a bit realised it was a bit strange.

 

No idea how long they would have asked us to wait if we hadnt piped up. Probably been waiting there when they wanted to close, still waiting for a doctor who wasn't even there....

[assisted blonde]

did you make the appointment very far in advance they may not have known she was going to be on maternity leave, although I have got to say most private appoinments are within a very short time scale (thats the idea of going private) sound like a major c---- up and i would certainly send in an invoice and see what happens.

[paulfoel]

In the end I kicked off big time and complained to the hospital. Turns out doctor had been on maternity leave but was due back that day. In the end, seems they didn't bother and didn't even bother informing the hospital.

 

Appointment was only made 3 days previously. I guess as far as the hospital was concerned doctor was going to be there. Apparently, we were only appointment that evening.

 

But, can imagine how unhappy doctor would have been if first day after maternity leave, made the effort to turn up, and then only patient did not show.

 

Invoice on its way methinks...

[Sali]

Yes, absolutely send them an invoice for your time and travel costs.

 

Just recently a chap won a case against a company that continued to phone him even after he asked them not to. He charged them for his wasted time.

 

Please let us know how you get on. Good luck.