"Appalling out-patient appointment system"

Anything else?

This hospital has got the worst outpatient appointment system that I've ever come across. I have had numerous appointments sent out incorrectly and then cancelled, along with automated confirmation calls for appointments which didn't exist. Whilst for some it may be a slight inconvenience, I am a teacher and have to plan time off as far in advance as possible so that I can get cover. I also live 50 miles away and have to travel by train or car either way which takes at least 1.5 hours each way so is a huge chunk out of my day and I also need to arrange for childcare. At £3 an hour in the car park and for any 10 minute appointment that I've had I have had to feed the meter 3 times (it also takes on average 50 minutes to get a parking space)! or if by train it costs £20/£23 it is not cheap! I have had 3 letters to say that I didn't turn up for appointments and that they will only make another if my gp requests it....It would help if they'd told me about the appointment in the first place!! I even took an afternoon off school, traveled all the way down there only to be told ."Oh there's a note on the system to reschedule that one." Well no-one told me!!! By this point I was really angry and complained, I was sent to the PALS office only to find it closed. Eventually got an name of a person who would help and ring me back....which she did. She arranged an appointment with me for the 11th Nov. I got a letter on 31st Oct to say that I have an appointment for the 4th Nov.....I rang up to confirm when my appointment was ..... it's the 11th ..... I hope! The organization is so bad it is farcical!!