"Waiting for an ultrasound scan"

I attended Omagh hospital radiology department for an ultrasound scan, because I had a pain in my stomach going up into my rib cage that made me feel sick at times.  My GP who referred me because I’ve started losing weight. I spoke to my GP about it  and I got a letter for the ultrasound two days later, which I thought was a very efficient service, very speedy.  I couldn’t believe it was as fast, the doctor is really doing her job. My GP is based at GP Drumragh family practice within the Omagh health primary care complex. So I’m pleased with the GP but I am disappointed with  the system with seeing people at their appointment times.

My appointment was 9:00am and you had to check in at the reception desk. I handed my letter and was told to go down and wait in the correct waiting area, which I did. There was a man right behind me and he handed his letter over and when I was  waiting. He arrived and waited too, his appointment was 9:00 am and so was mine. He was called in at 9:00 am, and I was first at reception so I thought I should have been called in first.

Then another lady arrived with a bad knee and her appointment time was 9:15am. The fella came out and then the lady was called in, in front of me. Now, I am in my seventies with type 2 diabetes, I got to the loo quite frequently and I had to have 2 pints of water in the morning, as instructed on the letter for my ultrasound scan, so I excused myself to the nurse to say my appointment is at 9:00am.  They said to hold on, saw the radiographer (or whatever their role is), then I was called in and the lady had to sit back down (with the bad knee).

I said I didn't think it was a good system, people after me being called before me; they said there’s 2 clinics going on, but I think it doesn’t matter if there’s 2 clinics or 22; if you get there first you should get taken in first. How would you feel if that happened in the supermarket queue, someone going before you after they arrived after you? No matter how much money you put into the healthcare system it’s only as good as the staff in it. If I hadn’t spoken up for myself I might still be sitting there waiting.

Because I had said I wasn’t happy about the waiting system, the radiographer said there are forms you can fill in, which is of no use to me, I’ll tell you why, I’d spend ten minutes filling it in and then I believe the person that receives the form will crumple it up and throw it in the bin. So that’s why I am calling Care Opinion instead.

I don’t think that people should be called in before you if you arrived first.