I am SO sorry you are going thru this distress & hassle, Suki That was extremely rude that they didn't tell you that you wouldn't be seeing your actual surgeon on the day. Grrrr As you say - a complete waste of time for you and unnecessary stress. Maybe ring again on the morning of your appt to confirm she WILL be there, before you leave home.
I would suggest you put it in writing & send it to the Manager of the GP's Office ... as something really needs to be done about that communication breakdown.
With my husband's specialists - I asked the GP to do an 'indefinite' referral - as I got sick of going back for yearly ones for his surgeon and Onc, when we all knew he would be under specialists' care for the remainder of his life.
I did the same with my own specialists too - my surgeon, Rad Onc and Onc, as I was seeing them for a minimum of 5 years ... my Onc then continued for another 2 years - I finished with her in July this year.
Get the GP to write ALL the 'indefinite' referrals on the same day!!!
This little video may help re Referrals (Only GPs can write 'indefinite' referrals):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkuoEJ43faY
I jumped ship with my Medical Onc to a much better & nicer one ..
My original one was a male who was completely indifferent to me and my treatment ... his first question to me was "What are you here for?" (I would have assumed he would have read my bloody Medical History file before I came into the room!)
My 2nd visit was to his locum (as he was away) and she listened to my concerns & arranged a change of AI for me - which WORKED .... so I swapped over to her for the next 6.5 years. She also became my husband's Onc when he went Stage 4. So, don't be afraid of changing ANY of your team, if you feel they are not 'there for you' xx. I hope this next appt goes without a hitch!
Take care & all the best xx
