Unhelpfulness

The good news is that all is well. The bad news is that the new hospital is appalling. The medical staff are the same as before - all very pleasant and helpful, the receptionists? On the main hospital entrance - hugely unhelpful and look at you as though you're a bad smell if you dare to ask a question. In the cancer treatment area? First of all, it's very difficult to find the department and then, when you get there, there is no signage that is any earthly use! At the previous hospital, oncology and the oncology clinics and radiotherapy were located relatively close together, but it was obvious which was which. At the new hospital oncology clinics are well hidden away under "Outpatients". Not helpful when the letter doesn't tell you where your appointment is!

The receptionists may be the same as in the previous hospital, I really can't remember. However, if they are, their attitude has changed. Earlier, they were helpful and pleasant. Now, they ignore patients who are waiting to be checked in, chat to each other, make cups of tea and eventually acknowledge your presence. This is not impressive. It doesn't give me confidence in the unit as a whole.

At least Nurse is going to check with the consultant whether I can be discharged in January because I find these visits so gruelling. If he refuses, and last January she seem to think all would be well but today wasn't quite so optimistic despite there being no problems at all on examination, I may have to revisit the discharging myself route. I've just about reached the end of what I can tolerate in terms of medical interventions now.

We'll see...