HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 8

HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

Sir,—l have been attending recently the Eye Department of the Dunedin Hospital. This involves waits of an unreasonable time before being attended to. As an instance, the other day I was given an appointment with Dr Wilson for 10.15 a.m. I did not receive attention until nearly noon, and then only after protesting. On comparing notes with other patient patients I found that all had their appointments for the same time — 10.15 a.m.—presumably so that all the waiting would be on our side, that of the public, and not their paid servant! I read that Dr Moody is anxious to make things better for the patients in the Public Hospital. Will he look into this complaint?—l am, etc., Patient Patient. ["An appointment may be made for a particular time, but the doctor's time may be, and often is, upset by an urgent operation or necessary consultation,” said the chairman of the Hospital Board, Dr A. S. Moody, when a copy of this letter was referred, to him. " I have examined the appointment book of the department referred to, and do not find any fault either with the system or the number of appointments made.” Dr Moody added that he had confidence in the administration of the department. If a rigid appointment time were made and adhered to. it would be impossible to see as many patients as under the present arrangement. If “..Patient Patient” called oh him he would be glad to make a detailed investigation of the complaint.—Ed. ODT]