Imaginary Doctor’s appointment

@Asylum (47893)

Manchester, England

December 7, 2017 7:40am CST

Yesterday I received a text message from my Doctor’s surgery reminding me about my appointment tomorrow at 11-45 AM. It seemed strange because I have no prior knowledge of any appointment. Naturally I telephoned the surgery to ask about this, but despite trying several times the telephone was not answered. I finally decided to give up and try again today, but before I could call today I received another text from the surgery. This time it stated “Your appointment at Fernclough Surgery on 08 Dec 2017 11-45 AM has been changed or cancelled”. The wording ‘changed or cancelled’ is rather non committal and seems like a standard message format. My suspicion is that the original text message was sent to my mobile phone in error, but rather than just say this they prefer to complicate matters further.

24 people like this

26 responses

@PatZAnthony (14749)

• Charlotte, North Carolina

7 Dec 17

These things keep us on our toes! Technology is great when it works,

4 people like this

@vandana7 (100280)

• India

7 Dec 17

LOL at "when it works" ..that apparently is the mistake of some human who was using technology. lol

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

Even better when used by someone with intelligence.

2 people like this

@vandana7 (100280)

• India

7 Dec 17

2 people like this

@Carmelanirel2 (8084)

• United States

8 Dec 17

Oh no,I wonder if that text was meant for someone else who now has gone in for surgery only to find out it was cancelled?

3 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

That was not something that occurred to me, but would be a major problem for someone.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

@Carmelanirel2 I do seem to be improving recently. I am not very active here a present. My combined November and December earnings is just over $2.

1 person likes this

@Carmelanirel2 (8084)

• United States

8 Dec 17

@Asylum I have to say I am glad to see you still so active here. How are you doing? Are the treatments working?

1 person likes this

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@allknowing (136369)

• India

8 Dec 17

To err is human but not to admit is inhuman (lol)

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

I like that quote.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Dec 17

Vince gets a personal phone call to remind him of appointments. This never used to happen. I guess people aren't as dependable as they used to be.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

A telephone call would have been much easier because I could have enquired about it then.

2 people like this

@Hannihar (130218)

• Israel

8 Dec 17

So what happened? Did you have an appointment or not?

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

I am assuming not because the time has passed now and nothing else has been mentioned.

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

10 Dec 17

@Hannihar I have had the occasional text or telephone call in the past, but usually I am not reminded.

@Hannihar (130218)

• Israel

10 Dec 17

@Asylum koalemos, so do they text you or write or call you when you do have a real one to remind youi?

1 person likes this

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@Kandae11 (54997)

•

7 Dec 17

It is a bit scary to know that errors are made in doctors offices.

3 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

True, but it seems like the most likely situation.

2 people like this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)

• China

12 Dec 17

It was strange! It seem not to be from your Doctor’s surgery .

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

12 Dec 17

It definitely came from the surgery, but I suspect in error.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

12 Dec 17

@Asylum sounds like they mesed up - at least you didn't have a wasted trip

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

12 Dec 17

That would have really annoyed me because the journey would have been difficult.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

12 Dec 17

@Asylum hope your other appointments go ok

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

12 Dec 17

@arthurchappell I had one today that went well. My next appointment will be in 2018.

@Inlemay (17713)

• South Africa

11 Dec 17

they are checking to see if you are Compos Mentus

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

11 Dec 17

I doubt that because they should realise by now how insane I am.

1 person likes this

@garymarsh6 (23404)

• United Kingdom

15 Dec 17

Seems like they sent it to you by mistake!

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

15 Dec 17

Most definitely, but simply admitting that would solve the error.

@Fleura (30382)

• United Kingdom

7 Dec 17

The NHS communications systems are utter crap.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

That is difficult to argue with.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (30382)

• United Kingdom

7 Dec 17

@Asylum It's a shame as the staff are trying to do a good job but it's so difficult to get past the communications barrier. I just wonder how many millions we (taxpayers) have shelled out to whatever company provided this.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

@Fleura It will not be a small amount.

1 person likes this

@JamesHxstatic (29413)

• Eugene, Oregon

20 Jan 18

Oh brother, nothing like clear, concise information.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

20 Jan 18

They quite clearly made a mistake because I have heard nothing since.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 Dec 17

I think they might be connected with my doctor's office that sends me messages every couple months about an imaginary appointment as well.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

11 Dec 17

Maybe we have the same imaginary health problem.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 Dec 17

@Asylum Could be.

1 person likes this

@peachpurple (13962)

• Malaysia

7 Dec 17

try to call them up again just to reconfirm

1 person likes this

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

@peachpurple Of a new appointment occurs then I will try to make contact again, otherwise there is no need.

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

Inasmuch as there is no current appointment it is easier to ignore it now.

1 person likes this

@peachpurple (13962)

• Malaysia

7 Dec 17

@Asylum glad to hear that

1 person likes this

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@AmbiePam (92708)

• United States

8 Dec 17

Yes, they tend to try to cover up their mistakes instead of easily acknowledging them.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

Exactly, which does not help anyone.

1 person likes this

@TiarasOceanView (70022)

• United States

10 Dec 17

Oh well glad you did not have to go after all. Bother with them texting rubbish.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

10 Dec 17

It would not be so bad if they had answered my telephone calls.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

9 Dec 17

Well if they cancel the non-existent appointment no one has to admit they made a mistake!! Makes perfect sense to me, not my fault they all said!!

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

9 Dec 17

That is precisely what I think as well, although a simple matter of "Oh sorry, that was a mistake" would have solved everything.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (79833)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

7 Dec 17

Well I sure hope you get it all straightened out.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

7 Dec 17

Since it has been cancelled or amended I can now ignore it unless it occurs again.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (26680)

• Singapore

11 Dec 17

They could have told the truth than beat about the bush - siva

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

11 Dec 17

Exactly my opinion.

1 person likes this

@tzwrites (4835)

• Romania

8 Dec 17

Sounds like a mix up on their behalf. It's odd though that they didn't answer the phone.

1 person likes this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

8 Dec 17

The telephone was engaged on two occasions that I tried ringing them so somebody was there but not answering incoming calls.