KEEP YOUR HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

Most of us have pet peeves. I want to tell you one of mine. My doctor referred me to the x-ray department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I took a seat in the waiting room. Then I spotted the bulletin board. My blood pressure suddenly went up. What did I see? One-hundred and twenty-four people did not show up for their appointment in the month of October. That’s right, 124 people were no shows!

The sign said, “If you cannot make your appointment, someone else can.” What in the world is going on? Don’t people value our medical system? Better still, don’t we think about others who are waiting for appointments?

I know we all have very busy lives. Most people are working and raising a family. Others are just busy with their activities and life in general. What would be a good reason to miss an appointment? Perhaps a death in the family or medical emergency situation. I am sure there might be other valid reasons, but I just can’t think of any. I am sorry, but “I just forgot” does not cut it. What does it take to make a phone call to the hospital to either postpone or cancel the appointment?

Health is a priority for most people. How can we just forget to write the appointment down or put it in our cell phone calendar? I realize that appointments are sometimes made months in advance. It is our responsibility to ensure that the appointment is kept.

Just think about all the hours that the hospital paid their staff only to have people miss their appointment. How frustrated these staff must be to have this happen day after day.

Maybe in this time of technology the Queen Elizabeth Hospital should be sending e-mails as a reminder. The old-fashioned phone call and letter also work. I guess if we are going to continue this track record, then the hospital needs to step up its game and send reminder notices. Surely, there will be no excuse for missed appointments then.

I must admit I have almost missed appointments. I feel very badly when this happens. One apology is never enough in my mind. I know it is early but perhaps we should be thinking about making this our New Year’s resolution. We owe it to fellow Islanders to respect our hospital and keep our appointments. I don’t know about you, but I am thankful that we have the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I challenge Islanders to cut the 124 figure down to ZERO!

Marlene Bryenton, Charlottetown