Recently we have had a flurry of appointments come through. Yippee. They are like buses; seen none for ages then several turn up at once. So I hear you wondering how we are getting on. Or maybe you are not. Well I am stressed and frustrated like you would not believe. One of the appointments was made with us via a telephone call and the lady advised us to allow a little extra time when coming to the hospital due to parking issues. Ok fine. We always leave with plenty of time as we both hate being late. If we are too early we can grab a coffee and a hot chocolate.
We headed to the hospital for the first of our appointments. It was the one we had been waiting over a year for. The one where we hoped to get answers so we could make holiday plans. Leaving home over an hour before to do a journey that should only take fifteen minutes but there are roadworks. We get there in good time and wow. Over half an hour driving round and round we were unable to find anywhere to park. It was pandemonium. People were parking anywhere, making driving difficult and one chap didn’t want to move so we could turn around to get out of the top level of the car park which had no space. He seemed to be just sat waiting right in the way with no consideration for others.
Who needs this stress before an appointment? Why was it so bad? They are extending the hospital and using the main car park to do it. We could have gone to the local shopping centre and parked there but that was way too far for hubby to walk, so we went home. During the return journey I called and left a message to apologise that we couldn’t get there and explained. I was advised when they rang back that this is getting common place, people just can’t get parked to attend. It isn’t helped that the multistorey car park opposite is also closed. What genius didn’t think this through? Find them and give them a stern talking too. Better still fire them!
There is no public transport that actually goes to the hospital so if you can’t park and your mobility is limited what do you do? Not everyone has someone who can take time out, drop you off then come back. A taxi for us is expensive and with us having several appointments that soon adds up. We are now in a catch twenty two as this is our main hospital. We have already cancelled one appointment for a scan and are waiting to speak to the consultant to see if we can go elsewhere. That is an option for the odd appointment but is not a long term solution. Then I got to wondering how many patients won’t get visitors because they can’t park?
Luckily one of the consultants we are under we elected a different hospital, its a bit more of a pain to get to but at least so far parking hasn’t been an issue. My job today has been to write to one department to apologise and ask that husband is not discharged. I have gone old school with a letter as I know that messages are not always dealt with. As a back up I am planning on booking and paying a private appointment to try and get some answers. I shouldn’t have to but we waited over a year for that appointment so goodness knows how long we will wait for another.
The scan that has been cancelled I have written to that consultant to explain and ask that we address our concerns in our appointment which I am hoping won’t get cancelled. It certainly feels like everything is hard work. The speed this year is going I am beginning to fear that despite my best efforts 2025 might be a write off too. I hope not as I need a holiday. Actually we both do. E x