Attended the emergency dental service today. Arrived there not long after opening hours and presented at main reception and asked for emergency service department and was informed by the receptionist that all the tickets had gone for today, handed me an information sheet with a letter written in the corner and to go through the doors take a seat and wait for my letter to be called. Eventually I was called to the desk, details taken and sat back down. There wasn't much of a wait to see the triage nurse, this is where the confusion begins. My details were checked again by the nurse and I was asked what the problem was with my teeth. The nurse then said that all the tickets were gone for the day and that I wouldn't be able receive treatment went through some options of pain relief to ring 111 for advice - all very helpful advice. I was told that the best thing to do was to come back Monday morning really early as people queue from 6:00 am to get a ticket when the doors open a 7:30 am. The nurse said that they were really sorry that no treatment could be given, tooth not even looked at and then I left feeling very puzzled. What I can't understand that if all the tickets had gone and the clinic full then why was I told to register and wait to see the nurse to be triaged? Wouldn't it have been less waste of my time, the registering receptionist and the nurses time if at the main reception I was informed that there were no more emergency appointments at the walk-in clinic and to come back early on Monday morning. I am not blaming the staff, they have a job to do, I work for the NHS. I am very disappointed that no treatment was given and that I had a wasted journey and also had to take time off work to get treatment.
"Puzzled and disappointed"
About: Birmingham Dental Hospital Birmingham Dental Hospital Birmingham B4 6NN
Posted via nhs.uk
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