“I really feel for the patients. On a normal day, the waits are long. Now, I think the waiting time is double.
As a Booking Clerk, I’m on the phone a lot and each phone call is important to me. Patients are anxious. I’m sure they’re sitting at home worried they will never get their ultrasound or CT scan. At the end of the day, it can be pretty stressful.
But people are happy when you’re able to call and schedule their procedure. They can relax now. They feel better. Everything might be okay, or they know what route they need to take. At least, I have helped them out. It’s satisfying, for sure.
I am a Booking Clerk in Imaging. I do all the booking for ultrasounds. The last few months have been hard, calling people who already had a long wait-time and/or postponing their ultrasound or CT scan.
When it all started in March, it was difficult. We were calling all of our patients, changing their booking status, and letting them know that we hadn’t forgotten about them.
Now, it’s difficult because you have to be kind and compassionate with our patients because they have been waiting for months, and we’ve had to put them on hold. Once we are given the okay to book elective surgeries, we will be able to call them, book them in, and figure it all out.
It was really quiet for a while. A lot of people were scared and didn’t want to come to the hospital. They were nervous, and you could feel it. It has changed now. The fax machine is buzzing.
I am hopeful. If the case numbers remain low, we will be able to book people who have been waiting forever. People are so excited when you call them now. They are happy to come in because they’ve been waiting for so long, and we’re taking all the necessary safety protocols in our office.
I am trying to be positive. My team supports each other to get outside and walk every day, even for 15 minutes. After work, I go for a jog and spend time with my family. The fresh air really helps.”
- Cynthia, Booking Clerk, part of the health care team