"Telephone appointment should never have been sent to me"

I arrived at the hospital Outpatients department clutching my letter of appointment only to discover that I had not read it accurately- it mentioned a telephone appointment!

I am significantly deaf. I have a congenital condition which is progressive. I wear two hearing aids and never now conduct business over the phone. I cannot be sure I will hear all the important information. I always inform people of this. Therefore it never occurred to me that I would have been assigned a telephone consultation. Especially when I can't even always hear my name being called when attending a busy clinic!

When I explained this to the staff in the gastroenterology clinic they were most understanding. 

I stayed so that I could answer the phone call that was to come. In the event it didn't get through, as reception within the hospital is poor. The consultant left me a message, but I could not decipher what they were saying on voicemail.

The head nurse in charge of the department told me it would likely be suggesting another appointment be made, and they made sure that this was arranged - a face to face appointment - for the following week. I was and am very grateful, for their intervention and help.

However the fact that I am deaf is in my notes and a telephone appointment should never have been sent to me. I am assured that won't happen again. I sincerely hope not.