We know that in large concerns – whether private, governmental or any other kind – mistakes will happen.
We say so to each other. Perhaps the kinder among us wonder how it feel to be among the errors, the dropped. I admit with humility – fearful.
And I further admit that I prefer my dealings with these big concerns to be in writing. That way I have a record.
But even written records – usually from the other fella – falter. Or just drive you mad.
For one of the few times in my life, I got so vexed with BT (bloody tsunami ?) that I wrote to the Chief Executive -old fashioned letter, registered. And was allocated a professional woman who has helped to guide me through the combination of lack of communication, indifference and confusion that has been my lot since I came “back to BT” – culminating in one of those sweetness and light circulars about doing their best for me
… The air above my head was bright blue , as I enter my fifth month of trying sort out the difference between what I say and what they say and what they do and don’t do.
I am not at all surprised that there is a current story which says that children’s standards of learning are massively improved when phones are banned. Not rocket science.
But while this was ongoing, and there were various other troubles in the ether – trouble comes to us all and usually in multiple, it likes company you see – I did not expect to have such disappointment at my eye hospital where I have been a longterm patient. That they have done all sorts of good things, I would be among the first to say – which is perhaps why not getting sensible direction out of their A&E when I had a streaming, itching eye infection was such a shock.
A shock which culminated in my third visit (first to look at me, second to have eyes checked by optometrist, third for lack of improvement) with a nurse telling me “There is no more we can do for you, you should see your GP to be referred to a dermatologist.”
Sometimes this business of intuiting psychological runes trips me up. It was Sunday. They were shortstaffed. She may have been more than usually tired of elderly ladies asking for help. I said “But all I want is guidance that I am doing the right thing …” (knowing – for you do learn as you go through life unless you are committed not to – what a song an d dance it would be – and me still streaming and itching – to start again with another speciality) . “That’s why you should see the GP” she said firmly.
So I did not say cryptically “So why didn’t we start there ?” I did not insist on telling her I was their patient for 8 years plus. I did not tell her what I had been told by the triage nurse I first saw or the optometrist of the second appointment.
I gave up.
When I came home I wrote the one sensible woman I know who has a dermatologist of repute. I had a look under dermatology on line and this morning I rang my GPs’ surgery at 8.00 and explained that, in spite of my good intentions, I seem to have gone round in a circle. Could they help me ? And I have an emergency appointment, just let’s hope ….
Further, it is alleged by the young man who is standing in for the helpful woman at BT (she has gone on well deserved vacation) that the BT engineer will be coming to see me between 10.00 and 12.00 And I have a new handset – I’d love to know the deal between Royal Mail and BT because their deliveries come belting through. Unlike carefully posted in advance birthday cards which don’t arrive for 10 days , first class mail indeed. Another enormous concern trying to retrench, deliver, make a profit and so on, all at the same time.
When people say “There is always somebody worse off” while it may be true – certainly in my case – it doesn’t make you feel any better about how bad your own case is. I feel frightened and angry and confused. Simultaneously.
