"Once again, lack of thought for the patient......"

What could be improved

I've been referred by my dentist and three weeks later have received an envelope from the hospital - fantastic, I think to myself. Upon opening the envelope I read a letter saying I have been put on the waiting in 'Conservation' - what the heck is this, I ask.

I then read on looking for the date of my appointment but nothing, only mention to say that when my appointment is due I will be able to phone to make an appointment. Mmmm....a letter telling me I'm on the waiting list, something I assumed having been told by my dentist that I was being referred, but no indication of when the appointment might be nor how far in advance I would be contacted in order to make an appointment.

Upon calling the hospital, I am told that I should get a consultation 16-17 weeks after receipt of the dentist's referral and that I would be able to make the appointment approximately four weeks beforehand - why couldn't this have been stated in the letter? It would make sense. Also, being told I was on the waiting list for 'Conservation' meant nothing to me, an explanation in the letter would have helped.

My suggestion would be for the hospital to give information up front in the letter and don't keep people in the dark prompting anxiety and wasted time and cost to ask the obvious which I omitted from the letter. Money is not needed to address this matter, just a simple re-think of how it is seen by the recipient.

So the point of the letter is? I guess it is NHS-speak for acknowledging the referral from my dentist.

Anything else?

I haven't even been for my appointment yet though if the treatment is as bad as the procedure for making an appointment I fear for what lies ahead.