Public outpatients appt

Gottalovegreys

Hi,

I'm due to see a consultant in April (public service), and was wondering if its worth my while ringing to see if can get in sooner? Have been in a lot of pain lately and was thinking of ringing the opd to see if I could get a cancelled spot or something. this appointment would be the first time I've been to the clinic.

Just don't know if it's actually possible!

Thanks

sam34

impossible to know for definite but its worth a chance.

lonestargirl

As Sam34 says it's worth a shot. Presumably you know what day/time the clinic is held on as you have an appointment. If, for example, it's on a Wed morning I would ring on Monday afternoon each week and just enquire if they have had any cancellations. The worst they can say is no.

As a reminder to others, clinics usually have a set number of slots so if you know you are not going to be there pick up the phone and cancel - someone else may be very glad of an earlier appointment.

MLH1

Definately Ring the OPD and if you get no luck, contact the medical team, I work in a hospital know things can be moved about if you are in pain. Try A&E if you are getting no where.

Vorsprung

MLH1 wrote: »

Definately Ring the OPD and if you get no luck, contact the medical team, I work in a hospital know things can be moved about if you are in pain. Try A&E if you are getting no where.

No, don't go to A&E to try to get your appt bumped up, as trying to get seen quicker is neither an Accident nor an Emergency. If you have no luck yourself, see if your GP can help. A&E doctors, who will likely not have seen you before, will not be able to help you as much as your GP for this kind of thing.

Gottalovegreys

Thanks everyone,

I called the opd today and was told the only way to change the appointment is to go back to my GP and get him to send in an urgent referral. So getting a GP appt is next on the list!

RobFowl

Gottalovegreys wrote: »

Thanks everyone,

I called the opd today and was told the only way to change the appointment is to go back to my GP and get him to send in an urgent referral. So getting a GP appt is next on the list!

As a GP I can tell you this does help. Also it's difficult to do but if you ring the consultants secretary regularly and make it clear if you are available for short notice cancellations then it does speed things up.

drzhivago

Gottalovegreys wrote: »

Thanks everyone,

I called the opd today and was told the only way to change the appointment is to go back to my GP and get him to send in an urgent referral. So getting a GP appt is next on the list!

for some clinics there is a 30% no show rate
Some hospitals maintain lists of people they can contact at last minute to see if they can get to clinic that day usually

Some others text in advance to make sure people are coming to appt, if they reply negative the admin staff go looking for others to fill the slot

Ask if the hospital you are going to attend have that option, find out what mornings the clinics are on and tell them you will take any cancellation ( if you are able to do so)

MAke sure on clinic days you are free and this will maximise chance of early appt

A&E definitely not an option, not seen any quicker, have long wait to see someone who is not a specialist in the area you require and will only lead to frustration on your part
GP best suited to guide your symptom progress and can only do so if you keep them informed, this then also allows them to contact consultant with up to date details explaining increasing urgency if relevant

Best wishes