Genesis

Saw a local podiatrist this week. Waited weeks for the appt. After 4-5 mins into the consultation I mentioned I was awaiting a referal from my GP for the local hospital for the problem with my foot (I merely wanted some relief whilst I awaited a probable operation on said foot and was told by a local pharmacy that this could ONLY be gotten from a podiatrist..hence my visit), having heard about the referal he immediatly curtailed the consultaion saying it was against protocol to go any further as I was awaiting consultation from the DHB.

I have no problem thus far but was knocked sideways when he demanded payment even though he cancelled the appt!!!! I complained to the reception area of the surgery where he rents a room and was told to leave paying the bill and to complete a complaint form to the practice manager. I did so. Can you imagine my shock when in the next day's mail I get his $40 bill!! I rang the surgery and they told me he insisted it was sent to me.

I have asked the CAB and they say that service providers are due compensation for appts cancelled by CONSUMERS.

All of those I have spoken to cannot believe this blokes gaul. I have made a complaint to the NZ Podiatrist Assoc and will get in touch with Fair Go if he does not desist from bullying me into paying. Finally another podiatrist in town is more than happy to see me inspite of the referal.

Any sage advice?

TeamEmbo

Sorry, I don't have any advice, just to say I think it's a bit unfair to charge you as he refused to do the consultation on your arrival. Hope you manage to get it sorted.

Wiz'n'Ton

Mad! So, did you pay anything then leave, or by 'leave paying the bill' did you mean 'till later'?

I would keep track of all calls made/ correspondance sent received regarding this, to both him and any higher bodies.

I would return the bill to him with a letter explaining that as he curtailed the appt, you would a) not be paying and b) you have complained to the NZ Podiatrist Association of his actions in insisting on payment for an appt he ended.

See what the feedback from that is, and go from there. Go hard

Genesis

Thanks to you both for your comments / advice. I have not paid as yet. I sent off the complaint last night (alas I forgot to photcopy it..duhhhhh) I am glad you think like me this bloke is being really draconian.

I am not a precious person and am not moaning that I have to wait ANOTHER month to see another podiatrist (bloody annoying) but its his perogative to cancel if he feels he has to for whatever reason..but to charge me? Its a bit like the garage that says sorry don't service Audis..but I still expect you to pay for the 1hour I booked your car in for. Bloody madness!!! I think I am happy to pay $30 to go to the small claims court..its not about the money (the cat just cost $400!!) its the principal. Alas yet anther story from the nightmares of the service industry of the manawatu.

luvwelly

You can get next day appointments for excellent podiatrists in Wellington.....either it's something they can treat or it isn't. Some podiatrists don't have surgical qualifications but most do or else they can't even do ingrowing toenails.
It's up to you whether you go private or wait for DHB. I don't see what protocoll has to do with it unless you have a condition only a hospital level orthopaedic surgeon can deal with.

Hopefully being 'dobbed in' will make him go away - it's only 40 dollars after all.

Hokey-pokey

In fairness to the podiatrist he/ she charged you a minimum for their professional time. For the sake of PR he could let it drop, but you did make an appointment and were seen. ( albeit briefly ). He lost money by having an appointment slot wasted. Sure not your fault , but not his fault either. Good luck with that one .

A friend of mine had major hassles with a podiatrist. She was trying to fix a foot problem on the cheap. He ended up costing her more than the orthopaedic medical specialist she eventually saw- who dealt with her problem efficiently and effectively.

Once again you get what you pay for. Fork out a few dollars to see a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon privately/ wait to see one in public hosp.

NB: Im curious to know what this magical product is that can only be obtained from a podiatrist. Seems a bit dodgy to me. Are the pharmacist and podiatrist cussies ?

luvwelly

He chose to curtail the appt for weird reasons of protocol not because he couldn't treat it...that's not quite the same thing as someone making an inappropriate appt. He could have at least tidied up G's hard skin, cut his toenails or whatever and then politely said there was nothing else he could do to help - just make his wait more comfortable - and then maybe 40 dollars would seem fair.
He didn't get what he paid for at all...he got 5 mins....my last 30 min appt was only 70 dollars in Wellington so 40 dollars for 5 mins is not just a minimum charge.

Hokey-pokey

I understand where you're coming from luvwelly. The podiatrist should have a notice in clear view within the reception area stating that there will a minimum charge. Or this should be quite specifically spelt out before the appointment.

The healthcare providers I deal with are very clear about how they charge. My dentist even goes far enough to say that you will be charged for missed appointments .

I think the weird reasons of protocol is to stop conflicting advice / treatment being given to a patient. Its all speculative , because I dont know what G s problem is , but I suspect the podiatrist thought it would be unwise/ unprofessional to kick start a treatment when that patient is going to be seen by a Medical Specialist. If this is the case, it should have been clearly explained to Genesis , who finds himself caught up in this. I agree a bit of a foot rub could have been thrown in for $ 40.00

Out of interest, are podiatrist appointments free in the UK ?

Genesis

I have a hammer toe. The Pod Assc of NZ have told me they will look into the issue but think he has a job on his hands claiming the $40 AFTER he terminated the consultation. Shit happens and its just one of those things that he should bear. The consumer act protects me and you from this kind of thing. I am going to fight it if he wishes to continue down the road of trying to get something out of me.

kiwinow

I'm with Genesis. If he curtailed the appointment before doing anything, he shouldn't charge. Once or twice I've taken my kids to the GP and within a couple of minutes he's been able to tell me the (untreatable) problem, which would go away of its own accord. ON both occasions the GP said "No charge for that", when we've gone back out to reception, despite having lost a paying appointment. I think that's pretty decent. Perhaps there is no obligation, but if the podiatrist declined to treat Genesis, I don't think he should charge.

Hokey-pokey

Don't get me wrong - Im with Genesis too ! Playing devils advocate perhaps

I would have a very strong hunch that your GP would still have lodged a claim for seeing your children. ( and fair enuff ) Charges for seeing children are subsidised by the Government. Its very nice PR , you're happy and he / she still gets a few $ 's . Still its good that they you were not charged directly - just indirectly thru your taxes!