NHS Choose and Book

[mirrorshard]

So, my GP referred me for an allergy test, to find out what it is that keeps making me sneeze and generally feel like the living dead. The reminder letter I got (I've been putting it off because they insist on my using the phone and I hate doing that) tells me I can use the "NHS Choose and Book" service online to remind me of their phone numbers. So I do that. It wants me to log in with the number and password they gave me, so I do that, and keep the phone numbers onscreen, since I need my laptop and Google Calendar with me by the phone.

And the nice guy at the end tells me that he can't make my appointment, because they have to use the same system and he can't log in while I'm logged in. Presumably it gives extra functionality to them, since all it does for me is show me this. (It gives me an option at Homerton Hospital as well, but they're unrated and the only advantage they have is a 21-day wait time.)

General Allergy (LCH) - Allergy - Barts and The London NHS Trust - RNJ

* Distance: 3 miles from postcode E11 ***
* Approximate Wait Time: 41 days
* Location: THE LONDON CHEST HOSPITAL, BONNER ROAD, LONDON, GREATER LONDON, E2 9JX
* Booking Instructions: 0800 043 0143 Mon-Thurs 0800-1800; Fri 0800-1700; Sat 0900-1200

And then he tells me that it will take 20 minutes to release the lock on the system after I'm logged out, so I'll have to call back. WTFF? Even by the normal standards of government IT systems this is fairly epic comedy fail.

Comments

[emperor]

My Experience of Choose and Book is that's it's a vast steaming pile of fail.

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

I've never encountered a UK government IT system that wasn't - I'd be interested to know if other people had.

[mirabehn.livejournal.com]

Actually the registering for being self-employed online and self-assessment for income tax stuff is at least semi-competent and sensible.

The contrast between how I get treated as a self-employed person and how I get treated when doing NHS stuff and (above all) how I was treated when on benefits is... telling.

[prolificdiarist.livejournal.com]

Actually the registering for being self-employed online [...] is at least semi-competent and sensible.

Yes, this for me too.

I was shocked at how quick & easy it was to do.

[mirabehn.livejournal.com]

And let's not forget that they wouldn't let me call and book the appointment for you...

[strangederby2.livejournal.com]

Sounds like Kafka wrote their handbook.

[awroe.livejournal.com]

I had a similar thing - the lady said she had to call me back later because she was locked out. When she did so, she found out there weren't any appointments free anyway, and had to arrange to send an appointment out later...