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Hospital out patients appointments

(31 Posts)
Ana Thu 05-Jan-17 15:37:09

But if you take someone else's slot, who turns up on time then has to wait, it's hardly fair is it?

tanith Thu 05-Jan-17 15:34:45

Thanks both of you, Gillybob Charing Cross hospital is in Fulham a very busy area and the rush hour in London especially on Friday last from about 3pm till 7/8 at night so waiting for the rush to die down isn't really an option. I'm not bothered about the crush its just standing on the tube for and then a bus is not easy even if you are perfectly able..
I'll definitely take your advice and go early I think.

Ana Thu 05-Jan-17 15:33:15

Most of the outpatients' clinics I've attended recently have been running at least an hour late - once it was two hours!

gillybob Thu 05-Jan-17 15:29:27

I don't know about this particular hospital tanith but the only way I have ever gotten in (slightly) early for an appointment is if someone in front of me has not turned up. Is it not worth you going for a coffee or something just to let the rush die down before attempting the trip home?

Not much of comparison I know but my dad is an avid football supporter and is very unsteady on his feet these days. He refuses to have a walking stick so I make him promise that he will wait for the rush to die down before attempting to get home on the Tyne and Wear Metro. It terrifies me how they keep the passengers waiting at the top of the very steep steps and then open the barrier and thousands of people literally pile down the steps. If he so much as hesitated he would be trampled.

Luckygirl Thu 05-Jan-17 15:26:02

In my experience the earlier you get there the better - your notes will be put out as being there and no-one will look at the appointment time. Take your kindle!

The journey home is likely to be a pain - I don't envy you this!

tanith Thu 05-Jan-17 15:23:02

I have to go to Charing Cross hospital in two weeks for the results of an MRI and the app is late afternoon on Friday. Anyone who lives in London will realise why this might be a problem on the return home in the 'rush hour' standing on the tube in rush hour isn't my idea of fun. I did explain and try to get an earlier app but was told that as it was an afternoon clinic I had to accept the time/date or go to the back of the queue again. My app is 4:30 I was going to get there at say 3 and hope for the best.

Just wondering if I turn up early for my app will I get seen earlier or do they stick to app times. I know its a bit of a how longs a bit of string question and different hospitals/depts will behave differently but just thought I would ask others experiences of turning up early for apps..