Anyone with a disability will know that at some point in time they’d be expected to attend certain appointments. Reviews with specialists and experts of their disability. This is all fine if your condition changes, but if your condition has remained the same, is there really any point to them?
Recently, I had to book an appointment at my local rehabilitation centre. They treat many people there with all kinds of disabilities. But I don’t think I should have needed to book an appointment. All I needed was what I call a sock because it looks like a sock replaced. I won’t show you mine right now, because it’s old and manky looking. As I said, I needed a replacement. I’ve been using this splint now for 6-7 years—well, this kind anyway, this is my 5th? 6th replacement? who knows?
Every time I need it replaced, the process is the same. I:
- ring up,
- tell them I need it replaced
- be told that I need to have an appointment—sometimes having to wait a while for said appointment to arrive in the post
- go to the clinic
- be asked if it is still working
- be sent home
- get one in the post.
Technology—an invention that is under utilised
I understand they need to know if I am having issues with it, but to make me drive there, wait for 10-15 minutes in the waiting room because they are yet again running late, to then ask me a single question is pointless. We live in a world where you can literally ask a question within seconds, regardless of distance.
If all they want to do is ask me whether something is working, then surely they can do that with a quick phone call. A text. An email. They literally have all of my details. They know where I live if they want to post me something, they have my mobile phone number, and I think they have my email too. If that is all they want to ask, a quick line in an email or text, or even a phone call would save that appointment slot for someone who actually needs one. I feel that the appointment should be given to people who actually have had something changed, not someone who has been pretty much the same since adulthood
Recent visit to rehabilitation centre
This time, when I went, I asked why I needed to come. I understand that these people are just doing what they’re told to do, but also what is the justification from the organisation? There must be one.
The person told me that they needed to make sure it was definitely the Nylon sock that needed to be replaced, and he also wanted to know what size it is. I could easily have told them this on the phone. But ah well, what is done, is done.
I just find it frustrating. I spent 15 minutes today, in a waiting room, with nothing to do but stare at my phone. The drive was also 20 minutes. In total, I wasted 55 minutes (because of the drive back) of my time today, time I could have spent on writing, or reading for my PhD to answer a one sentence question. The staff’s time is also wasted, although probably not as much.
I want to make it absolutely clear, I don’t blame the staff in any way. They are doing what they are told to do. They follow the guidelines of a system that is not cleverly thought out. I just… I think there’s a better way to go about these things. Save me time, save them time. The specialist did say that he’d put the size and make on my notes so that when it needs replacing again, I can just ask for it. But they have said that several times before, so I am a bit sceptical. We shall see.
Does these wasted resources affect other areas?
I can’t help but wonder this. As I said, the rehabilitation centre specialises in a range of disabilities. I am meant to have a yearly review for something. I admit, I can’t remember what the department is that I am meant to have the yearly review with. That’s because it doesn’t happen yearly. Before covid, I got a letter from them saying:
Sorry for the delay in your appointment. We have not forgotten you! We have a backlog of 18 months.
I think I still haven’t got that review. Not that I need one. But just because I don’t need one doesn’t mean someone else out there doesn’t need that review. Maybe they cannot book an appointment—believe me, even if you can, it is difficult to get hold of one—or maybe they feel like they don’t want to make a fuss and decide to wait for this review. If they have anxiety or something else that affects their ability to make decisions about their health, all these outcomes are possible. And if the review is so delayed, they’ll not get the help they need.
I understand that the NHS is understaffed and under-resourced, I just wonder if these pointless appointments have a knock-on effect at all? If they booked 5 people in for these appointments that take 2 minutes (because I’m sure the slots are longer than that), that’s 5 appointments waisted.
Speaking with friends
I spoke to a friend about this after my appointment. We’re essentially next door neighbours so we go to the same rehabilitation centre. She said that she spent more time in the waiting room than actually at the appointment too. We also discussed how your told in any appointment letter that if you’re late you will not be seen, but they are never on time. I’m hardly late to things. That’s just me. Being late makes my anxiety rise, so I tend to be early. But there are times like these when I think to myself, is this even worth it?
Thanks for reading
Have you had any experience that you feel could be done differently? Anything similar with your local centres? I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.