Yep, it’s like if brought your car to a mechanic, he opened the bonnet, said “sorry, I can’t fix that. Go down the road to Mick” and then charged you anyway.€180 for the privilege of a five minute consultation, only for him to pass the buck.
I've had to attend a consultant a couple of times recently. The receptionist barely says 'hello' to you before she asks you for the fee. I find this really annoying. I can understand that invoicing patients may lead to delays and non payment of fees. But surely they could let you pay on the way out, not have their hand held out the minute you walk in the door.
Worse, yesterday my OH saw a consultant in a well known private clinic. His appointment time was 9.30, when he arrived at 8.45 the receptionist asked for the payment, he tried to pay with a credit card, she said they dont take credit cards, he tried to pay with laser, they dont take laser, she asked him to go get the cash, he had to take his car out of the carpark (and thus pay a second parking fee) and go off to the nearest shopping centre (no banklink in the clinic itself) and come back with cash - and all this prior to 9.30. Despite being registered on the 'list' by the receptionist at 8.45 he was not in fact seen until 10.45 - no apology.
Plus, despite being a patient of this particular consultant, because he hadnt seen him in 2 years he was back to the new patient fee of 200 euro, as opposed to the existing patient fee of 160.
Its a total racket.
Standard behaviour with many of those bozos unfortunately.I hope he's going to complain. That is disgraceful treatment!
Also, I would name and shame the clinic.
I hope he's going to complain. That is disgraceful treatment! Also, I would name and shame the clinic.
The fact that you had to pay for parking, in a private clinic and all, is ridiculous.(and thus pay a second parking fee)
Plus, despite being a patient of this particular consultant, because he hadnt seen him in 2 years he was back to the new patient fee of 200 euro, as opposed to the existing patient fee of 160.
:mad:
New patient fee - WTF?!
Didnt you know? The first time you see a consultant is more expensive than subsequent visits as you are a new patient first time around. This apparently applies after 2 years have elapsed also.
went to the doctors here in cork and that wasn't the case
Didnt you know? The first time you see a consultant is more expensive than subsequent visits as you are a new patient first time around. This apparently applies after 2 years have elapsed also.
No wonder they ask for payment in advance - people probably wouldn't pay otherwise! I certainly wouldn't pay an extra €40 just because they hadn't seen me in 2 years.
Well it ain't the Blackrock Clinic, where you can hardly move for all the POS terminals!
Make sure you let your GP know what happens, so that he doesn't continue to mess around his other patients in this way.I was referred to a specialist by my GP in a private clinic. Specialist took a look at the problem, recommended an MRI and then passed me onto another specialist because he couldn't deal with the problem.
€180 for the privilege of a five minute consultation, only for him to pass the buck.
Brought a sick child to the GP. I knew an antibiotic was going to be needed due to a chest infection. (A bit of medical knowledge!)
Was told that no antibiotic was needed and the child was ok. I was charged €40. I told the doctor that WHEN I bring the child back in after he gets worse, I will not be paying him.
So, the next day I brought the child back in. He is so busy he obviously didn't kop it but immediately said he needed an antibiotic and wrote out the prescription. I then told him about my previous visit and that I wouldn't be paying him. He said I HAD to pay. I told him I wasn't and walked out without paying him. I have been back since for another reason and he apologised.
Blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, reflexes. Anything more serious than a flu is referred. Easy money.
Answereable to no one.
Not all consultants are money grabbing sods! After a two year break - did the consultant not remember that you are not a first time patient... if it is the same problem that you are attending them for... begs the question?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?