Navigating Public Health System

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Rozellelily

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Hi everybody,

Recently, I have needed to make an appointment for myself with a certain medical specialist.

This appointment is at a public hospital and usually I would avoid the public system “like the plague” because I do not enjoy dealing with the bureaucratic red tape and attitudes etc…
Unfortunately though, this medical specialty is rare in my country so the only doctors in that field are literally only in public hospital settings and there are no private ones.

Long story short, I got a referral from doctor for the specialist I wanted to see and I accepted that it might be long wait time (months) because they are rare + I am wanting to see a certain one…

Anyway, his reception phones to “give me an appointment” however I am unexpectedly given a “bait and switch” and she informs me that the appointment would not be with the specialist but his junior consultant.
Then she gives me a story about how he is just as good because they “share the same office area” :roll_eyes:.

I feel this is unfair, as I have particularly requested a specialist I have confidence it + it was a 5 months wait.


(I had this happen many years ago sim in situation when I received a registrar instead and they were very inexperienced and I had no confidence in them at all.)

Does anyone have any advice how to handle these types of situations with public health system workers who don’t seem to respect at all patients times, patients requests and feelings etc?

Instead of them arranging an appointment which is suitable for both parties, they instead tell/dictate you when it be & act like they are doing you a favour.

Usually, I would just pay for private (ie: humane treatment) but in this instance, have no choice.

Can you offer any advice how I can stick up for self about request for certain doctor when a receptionist is pretty much expecting/demanding me to do otherwise?

I have fear of retribution that they will refuse an appointment at all etc…

I know this doctor also works at one other hospital and I have considered sending the referral now there, but I’m concerned that then they will think something negative because I have sent referral to both his settings?

Why should patients have to deal with their nonsense at all…
This does not happen in any other profession.
 
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I suggest that you call them and ask for an appointment with the specialist for whom you were given the referral. If they object, just say my doctor referred me to Dr. X and I would like my appointment with him.
You may have to wait longer for an appointment with the specialist, but as you say, it may be worth it.
If there is no way to get in to see the specialist, perhaps you could call the referring doctor and explain the predicament.
 
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