A couple of weeks ago I tried to make an appointment with my family doctor in St. Albert. Unfortunately, I was told I would have to wait, as the doctor’s schedule was fully booked.
When I finally got in to see the doctor a few weeks later I noticed a big sign up in the office that said 51 patients had not shown up for their appointments that month and had not even bothered to call in to cancel so their appointment could be rebooked for another patient that really needed it.
It seems at a time when there are so many complaints about our heath care system that some of us are making the problems worse. By not phoning in, they are wasting the doctors’ time that could be used to serve other patients. I bet if these people had an appointment for a trades person to show up at their house and he didn't call to let them know he was going to be late or couldn't make it that day they would freak out, but they obviously feel it fine to waste the very valuable professional doctors’ time.
Come on St. Albert. You must have called in to make the appointment so if you can't make your appointment please take a minute and call in and cancel it so some other person in need can book it. It’s tragic but I bet the people in Haiti, if they could see a doctor, wouldn't waste the appointment.
Mike Killick, St. Albert
