"No one to answer the phone."

I had an appt for a bone density scan. Four days before, I knew that I would not attend, reason for that to follow. I phoned the number on my appt letter twice on the same day as soon as I knew this, I called twice  to cancel. Automated message said no one was available to answer the call. 

I then called twice the following day. Same automated message.  I called three times on the day of the appt. Same automated message. There is no email address to be found for Radiology,  only a warning not to call the main switchboard as they only have the same number to redirect the call to. It is, therefore, impossible to cancel an appointment.

The following day I received a letter warning me that if I did not contact them within the week they will assume I no longer need the appt. They will then contact the referring doctor to let them know that I did not attend the appt. And if I do want a new appt to call them on the same number where no-one seems to be available to answer this phone. 

There is always a scandal surrounding missed appointments by patients who have not bothered to cancel, thereby denying an appointment to some else. Perhaps this should be investigated to find out how often what happened to me happens to others and find out just how accurate the figures are.