"Normally a great department, sadly not true on..."

My experience, to date, of the HRi Gastroenterology department has been extremely good. This certainly was not upheld on my recent visit.

I received an appointment notice on November the 5th for the 17th of November. I assumed it was some kind of follow up to my 3 weeks at St James hospital. Well........>

The nurse taking my vitals, with my paperwork asked me what the appointment was in connection with? I replied that I did not know and this would be my first question for the Doctor.

The first question the Dr asked my was "what is my reason for the appointment? A little bewildered I said that I would expect the doctor to know the answer to this question.

The doctor asked a couple of routine questions and said that a follow up appointment would be scheduled within 3 months.

Total waste of time to the Dpt head ( who asked for the meeting to take place, for the Nurse taking my vitals, to the Doctor who saw me and, last but not least...... to me! My disability does not prove these day jaunts to be easy....... nut I have no qualms if there is value.

Wonder how much could be saved by the NHS with a little smarter coordination / communication. Perhaps section 2 above (ratings) should have a patient perceived value question?