I dreaded the early afternoon appointments, never knowing whether I'd make it out in time to pick up the other life forms from school. The appointment-attending life form, who is just as outspoken as his mum, would be making his feelings quite clear to all those herded into the waiting area, alongside us.
The anticipation when a consulting room door finally opens and the next "cattle call" is made. Bugger, it's not us. The remaining clients are subjected to another verbal outburst by my son, who is seated faraway from me, to lessen the chance of any connection. My eyes revert back to the health posters on the wall and I re-read them for the thousandth time.
Most of these people will be back in six weeks, just like us, and I wonder if I should suggest that we all bring a plate and meet up for afternoon tea, make it a regular thing. Start our own Facebook page, maybe - the Patient Patients. We could have sing-a-longs, compare scars and put on face painting for the kids.
The wait is bad enough, but to have the audacity to charge me for a time issue that is completely beyond my control is nothing short of swindling. I would, however, also like to point out that there have been occasions where the visits have been brief and punctual and, if all were like this, I wouldn't have as many reservations about the whole paid parking thing, but sadly, those type of appointments are the exception rather than the rule. An all too familiar failing of many services put on by "da system".
Can you imagine the cost to someone visiting A&E, the interminable wait, then too the possibility of lab tests, X-rays and scans, each, delivering their own time delays that once again are totally beyond the control of the patient. It literally is a case of adding insult to injury.
I'm reading all the time about how poorly Wanganui ranks in the "turning up to appointments" scale and feel that imposing an extra cost will only continue to impact these figures even more negatively.
Those who can afford it will think it's just a few dollars, but to those on a low and/or fixed income, those few dollars can quite literally be the bread and butter that feeds the family. The powers that be will make the call however, my little rant will do nothing to stop it, once their mind is made up. It's bad enough that most who use the carpark are emotionally or physically "crippled" in some way, or visiting someone who is, but that's not enough for "da system". It appears it won't be satisfied until it cripples us financially, too, by having us pay for their monumental time-management failures. There's nothing fair about this proposed new fare. What next a pay per ride elevator? It's enough to make you sick.
Also wanted to thank you for all your feedback last week, it was great and much appreciated. I'm working on emailing you all personally. Keep it coming: investik8@gmail.com
Kate Stewart is an unemployed, reluctant mother of three, currently running amok in the city ... approach with caution or cheesecake.
