Share ideas for making waiting rooms in hospitals and GP surgeries less onerous

I wish I could say the same for mine. There are signs when you first walk in that have arrows for which way each department is but then the signs disappear and it's very confusing.

Apart from the multitude of reception desks which I mentioned, our hospital is actually quite easy to navigate. Everything is very well signposted, and they even had coloured lines on the floor, which if you follow them, will take you from the fracture clinic to x-ray etc. TBH it could be a lot worse :).

Yes! Why do they make hospitals so confusing? How do people navigate it without help? I find it so frustrating and  overwhelming going to a new hospital or department and trying to navigate it. It surely isn't that difficult to have a simple layout and clear signage.

I also hate when they call your name just to move you to a new waiting room. Or when they call you for preliminary tests and it seems like things are moving quickly but then you have a ridiculous wait for your actual appointment.

A serious suggestion would be to make things as simple as possible. 

I remember when I went for an ENT appointment, the letter said to go to main outpatients' reception. But if you follow the sign to "outpaitents", you are met with a corridor containing Reception A, Reception B, Reception C, Reception D and at the end, Reception E. Turn right at the end and carry on and you will find Reception F. Good luck guessing which one you need!

And there was the time I had an orthopaedic appointment, which was booked on a computer through "Choose & Book". When I returned home from the appointment, there was a first class letter on the floor informing me that I had an appointment four hours ago. At that appointment, they kept getting my hopes up in a delayed clinic by shouting people's names [hallelujah! its my turn!], only to find that they were just moving you to a different waiting room.

Everything in hospitals haas to be washable or at least cleanable with disinectant, I think that could make cushions stiff and uncomfortable.

I always take a book with me.

It would be good if there was a quiet room for patients to wait, but I suspect it would be like anyother space intended for those who need quiet, it would be invaded by those looking for somewhere to make or recieve a call, or someone would feel the need to put bright lights and a noise making device on.

I do like the idea of something like a foot fidget, I would benefit from that as I struggle with waiting and sitting still.

I also like the idea of the community puzzle but I'd only feel able if no-one else was doing it at that time.

I'm not sure I understand how a points system would work though. What are you getting points for?

I tend to take my own entertainment knowing how long wait times can be. Puzzle books are great for this. 

I prefer their being a gap between chairs. I prefer it when chairs have arms as it feels like a protective barrier between me and other people.

I do think this is all personal preference though and you'd never please everyone. Someone has said they hate seeing people glued to their phones. I use my phone to alleviate boredom and anxiety. I don't see an issue with this or why me using my phone should bother anyone else as long as it is on silent. I'm not forcing them to use theirs. I also prefer there to be background music or a TV on. I can understand why others would dislike this but I hate silence. I'd worry about using headphones whilst waiting incase I don't hear my name being called.

Ideally I'd like a quieter waiting space where I don't feel overcrowded by people but I do worry that if this existed I would be forgotten about.

A big one for me though would be some way of knowing how many people were left before you get seen. I dislike not knowing how long I need to wait and I get very anxious that I've been forgotten or have somehow missed my appointment. But some way of being able to check how many people are before me would help this a lot. It would just make it a bit more predictable for me. I don't know how they would make this work for each patient, an app of some sort maybe.

vardaguyn said:

Packets of biscuits, flapjacks, healthy eating, water tea or coffee when your appointment is lat

Excellent idea! I used to love reading the magazines but they scotched that because of hygiene. I'd rather sacrifice a bit of hygiene and have something interesting to read - especially when people leave expensive ones I can't afford.

Oh yes, and cushions too - that wouldn't cost much.

More comfortable chairs, I get so stiff and painful from sitting in those horrible little plastic chairs, there's often no leg room either.

I would also like more space between seating, proper ventilation ie windows open and mask wearing by all during an epidemic such as we have now with flu.

No TVs or radio or any background music.

A great big sign that says "all mobile phones and other devices to be kept on silent or you will be shot'.

Marianne72 said:

points system [like supermarkets] allowing you to upgrade waiting times, get a prize - pack of vitamin B or D, or hospital lottery ticket

How would this work?

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Recently my local GP surgery has got paintings for sale. 

Really brighten up the waiting room. 

The hard gray chairs are in a circle which isn't great. There is building work going as well. 

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My ideas: 

During lockdown I was given a goodie bag which contained a colouring book, word search (could be any puzzle book); coloured pencils and pens. Why not do the same thing for the waiting room. You can keep the goody bag.

Selection of magazines to read or books.

Packets of biscuits, flapjacks, healthy eating, water tea or coffee when your appointment is late. All allergens items.

Someone has to check the items are within date.

I don't like seeing people glued on there cell phones.

I would ask the community to donate stuff. I'm happy to sacrifice stuff.