Had this happen once. I arrived without an appointment about an hour before the office closed. They allowed me in and took me into an exam room to wait for the doctor. After nearly an hour, I went to look and see what was happening. The staff were in the process of closing up for the day. They had literally forgotten I was in there.
Had the exact same thing happen, except it was that someone else with an appointment had my same name. So the schedule got messed up and thought we were the same person. I stuck my head out 45 minutes into sitting in the room, and they were very confused. I then waited another 45 minutes cause they are chronically behind. I don’t go to that doctor anymore.
Couple of years ago, I went to an orthopedic clinic with a torn ligament. They tell me to lay down in one of the rooms. An hour passes. Suddenly, the lights in the room and adjacent hallway turn off. They dead-ass forgot me in there and were about to call it a day when I popped my head out.
Had this just over a month ago. I went down to accident and emergency just before 12 am on a Saturday (also know as the emergency department) as I was having really bad cramps because of my IBD (ulcerative colitis) I got triaged within an hour and had blood tests done within an hour after. Only saw a Dr after 7 or 8 in the morning and then was with her an hour at most, went for an X-ray and then had to sit for maybe another 5-6 hours to find out the results of a blood test that they do at the hospital. They were thinking of admitting me to hospital but we’re waiting on the blood results so it’s not as if me just going home was going to help myself.
While I sat waiting on the Dr the last time, I went and asked twice because I hadn’t had word for hours. I also didn’t have anything to eat for 24 hours as I didn’t have an evening meal and I couldn’t use a vending machine as I had no cash or card as I don’t think I would be there 16 hours.
What country was this? Just out of curiosity. I can’t tell from the way you write
UK and Northern Ireland. Where we had our government collapse twice while there’s a plethora of issues in healthcare, education, economy and just about everything else a government is responsible for. We would’ve actually set the world record for the longest time without a government if we were recognized by the UN as a sovereign nation.
Sounds like the UK to me. Waits like this are not uncommon here in A&E when you are in a stable condition. The NHS has been underfunded for years and it is just getting worse.
Northern Ireland is particularly bad with the executive collapsing twice in 10 years.
Kinda related…
I know why I’m seeing the doctor, my dog doesn’t understand why he needs to see the vet. When you tell us to go in the room don’t make us wait for fuck’s sake, the last time my dog looked like he was trying to escape through the ventilation grill in the ceiling and he pissed and shat on the examination table because he had been building anxiety for 20 minutes!
My vet switched fully to having everyone wait in their cars after COVID. The vet comes to get you directly when they’re ready for you. It’s way better for the pets anxiety.
When you tell us to go in the room don’t make us wait for fuck’s sake
This is what I don’t get. There’s a waiting room. Why are we sent into a (usually) cramped room with no amenities if the person we’re seeing isn’t immediately available? One time I went to a clinic and the doctor apparently went on their lunch after I’d been walked to the examination room. Like…wtf?
20 minutes, then assuming there’s a closed door, I’ll just leave the door open
If 10 more minutes pass I’m popping my head out and asking for a potential estimate. If I get to 45 minutes and nobody has spoken to me I’m out, and will be quite irritated upon rescheduling. By that point I’ve been there for over an hour and unlike everyone whose taking their sweet time, I’m not being paid to be there.
I’ve watched too many nurses, doctors, and random medical staff just stand around talking outside patient rooms about the latest gossip to believe they’re running behind on appointments anymore. The local network schedules in 20 minute blocks, and I’ve NEVER had a single appointment face to face with a doctor for more than 10. Usually less than 5 unless there’s something majorly wrong. And despite “privacy” of separate rooms, I can hear surrounding rooms taking just as long.
I’m probably being too cynical and harsh, but after almost dying because the asshole who examined me dismissed EXTREMELY obvious signs because “you probably just need to lose weight” I’ve retained less and less patience with local medical staff. And the next closest office/network that will accept my insurance is almost an hour away. So yeah.