Run-around and Time Control
I can say absolutely without a doubt that today has been a confusing day.
I'm starting to recover from the lurgi that I've been down with. Even so, I still have a bit of a toothache and needed it to be looked at. First trip was to the dental clinic at Wallsend (after a damper and cappuccino breakfast in the cafe round the corner), however they sent me to the clinic at the Royal Newcastle Hospital. Now that's a funny place - it's due to be shut down and redeveloped, but for now it looks like a deserted set from a movie or TV series.
Anyway, I got there after having lunch at Harry's Cafe de Wheels, at what I thought was 2:10pm. Only, reception was closed. I asked a doctor/official and he pointed to a sign that said "RECEPTION CLOSED BETWEEN 1PM AND 2PM" I pointed out that is was after 2pm, but he pointed to a clock in the hallway which showed 1:10pm! I figured that my clock was wrong. I went downstairs and finished reading a book and adjusted my clock (which had in fact been set to 2:20am, and with the date and year settings reset), and went back at 2:10pm.
This time reception was open, and after checking in I took a seat and waited. the Dr examined the area and said that it was my wisdom tooth and would have to be replaced. He gave me a referral card and also a referral for an X-Ray and told me that I'd have to get one done before having the tooth removed. Went to reception and initially they said that I couldn't get an appointment until the 23rd and at Wallsend! I said that that wasn't very good (17 days?) and they were able to get an appointment for me at the Hospital tomorrow, but that I'd have to get the X-Ray done.
OK - I went to the radiologist service (via the library) getting there just before 4pm. Checked in and waited, but when they'd called, it was for a different name! Huh? They'd put entirely different details on the referral slip -someone born in 1963 and living in Raymond Terrace. Once I realised the mistake I brought it to their attention - they phoned the RNH clinic and they faxed a proper referral to the service and I had the x-ray taken (see below):
I got out finally about 4:45pm, and went shopping at a nearby Coles to catch the 5:15pm Sugar Valley bus from Newcastle. Only it never came. Or rather, it did come at 5:15, only I was there at 6:15 - huh? Seems that the hospital's clock was just plain wrong. The strange thing is that everyone in the clinic was setting their time by it.
Finally I caught a bus to Wallsend, went to the library there and then waited for the (final) 7:10pm bus. I'd checked my travel clock when I got to the library but it was showing 12:40am at 1/1 in 1996! Guess I'll be getting a new travel clock soon (or at least change the battery).
A very confusing day. Can't say it inspires confidence in the staff at the RNH clinic, what with incorrect times and and wrong name. Maybe it's just as well that they're closing down on Wednesday. In any case I have to go back tomorrow to get that tooth out. Hopefully they'll remove the correct one from the right person.
And, I don't care, I'm going to set they "right" about the time (or is it maybe on "Clinic Time"?).