Valuing the NHS

I'm always amazed to hear of patients 'being sent for'
What a waste of surgery time, sending all those letters.

In Germany you make your appointment and then you turn up at the stated time and if not you can be charged for the doctors time. An appointment has to be cancelled at least 2 ours before the time, or prefrably the day before.
The NHS has spoilt everyone and like spoilt children patients don't take responsibility for their own health.
You are right, the NHS is not valued.

Margaret X not sure what you mean by waste of surgery time & letters being sent. I make appointments online or by phone to see my GP. If the GP then refers a patient on to a specialist consultant a letter / email is sent to patient detailing date , place & time. If that proves to be inconvenient I can go online or phone to change it. Time is wasted only if patients fail to inform in advance of non attendance. I agree too many appointments are missed.

Most professional places that I attend now advise that a missed appointment fee will be charged for non-attendance.

I was given a follow-up appointment at a clinic for a date in February which was confirmed in three text messages and one letter. However, then I received another letter to say that, due to unforeseen circumstances, it had been cancelled. I then received another late for a slightly later date.

However, the second date is not convenient for me so I spent two lots of 15 minutes on the phone trying to get through to re-arrange the appointment. I then sent an email instead but have had no reply.

I can keep trying to re-arrange the appointment or I can just, through frustration, become another 'no show'.

late letter

I tried to phone again at 4.25 pm but a recorded message told me that the department had shut at 4.30 pm.
No reply to my email.
At this rate I shall be costing the NHS £159 for a missed appointment.