"Poor communication in hospital"

My wife and I took her Father who is in his 80s to Broomfields Hospital near Chelmsford in Essex. We arrived at 09. 50 for his appointment at 10. 10. Booking in was normal. We were then sent to the waiting area for his appointment, When arriving at the waiting area the TV screen showed a delay in waiting time of 90 minutes for the registrar or 60 minutes delay for the consultant. There was no explanation on the screen as to why.

Two hours later we still had not been seen, but we had found out that there had been a computer problem, this we found out by talking to other patients, not one member of nursing or others had come forward to offer an explanation or apology for the delay. Two and a half hours later then our appointment time my Father in Law is seen, the TV screen still showing a 60 and 90 minute delay. Still no explanation from the nurses or consultant as to why the delay but the nurse said sorry for it.

We understand that not all patients can be given and seen in set times as some need more and some need less explanations for their treatment etc. What we cannot understand is why we had no updates on the TV screen or why no one came and explained what had or what was happening, we were kept like mushrooms totally in the dark. With the technology available it is so easy to update the screens in hospital that is if someone could take the time to ensure patients are kept informed as to what is happening. I believe that nursing staff should nurse and that admin staff should be able to inform patients what's happening.

We get very good health care from those we take Dad to see but the lack of information is so distressing if his appointment had been for a Thursday and all this had gone wrong he would not been able to stay to see the consultant as his wife who has health issues has to see him and us on Thursdays, otherwise she becomes very unsettled and the staff at her home get the rough end from her. I would like to have an explanation as to why the communication on the screens with delay times is so out of synch with the real waiting times.