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[getting_old]

I started to see a physiotherapist a few weeks ago. He's a private physiotherapist so I'm paying for his services.
First appointment he was 15 minutes late, and actual appointment lasted 20 minutes.
Second appointment he was just over 10 minutes late and appointment lasted 10 minutes.
Third appointment he was more than 15 minutes late and again appointment lasted 10 minutes. He would have only been 10 minutes late but he was chatting with the previous patient about good fishing locations!
Fourth appointment I waited over 25 minutes past the alloted time then left! His receptionist said "all good, here's the bill" and I said "no, haven't seen him, I'm leaving, I have other things to do", and obviously didn't pay the bill!

Got home to a voicemail apologising for "running a few minutes late"    and suggesting an alternative time. I feel like I've given him enough chances, and tolerated what was already not really acceptable. As the saying goes, am I being unreasonable if I find someone else? I feel like he's had enough chances, and if I'm making the effort to arrive on time then he should do the same.

[Minusminnie]

If this was me i would give him another chance if the physio is helping you and you have already paid for the first three appointments. His physio may be better than his time keeping and he may now alter that aspect now he knows that you walked out last time. 
I went to one private physio at a distance for a long time who gladly would have let me keep going and paying but i realised that she wasn't helping me so went with my gut feeling and stopped that.

[CLKD]

Morning.

I would walk.  Whether I was paying for private consultations or in the NHS.  This happened to me many years ago.  Always a few moments late initially due to walking between depts. and would leave 5 mins B4 the end of the session.  I could tell that she had tired of me as she became later and later.  I was paying £70.00 per hour (1990s) and eventually the appt was 20 mins.  I never went back.  Nor did she contact me ...........

Well done for not paying the bill for 'services' you didn't receive.  I would also complain to the governing body, which I didn't do and regret.  He probably doesn't know how to deal with your situation but isn't honest enough to help you find someone else.

[littleminnie]

If I was paying private I would definitely find someone else.

[getting_old]

CLKD, it's for a fairly common foot problem so nothing that should require a specialist physio, and something he probably deals with every day. His walk is basically one room to another, although he probably needs to pick up a file, but that didn't take long after the fishing chat ended 

I leave the house 45 minutes before the appointment to ensure I'm there on time, and it takes at least 30 minutes to get home, so the last appointment was basically 2 hours out of my day, plus of course petrol, for nothing. I could understand it if it was a surgeon who is obviously on call, etc. but even when I was his second appointment of the day he was more than 10 minutes late.

Oh, and when he was late for the first appointment he did apologise, and said he had to discuss Halloween with his office manager!!!

[CLKD]

?? un professional ??

[Ayesha]

Extraordinary behaviour from a private physio. NHS are great but you do have to wait a while for an appointment.
In my case I had an assessment at my surgery with a physio who then said she would refer me to our local NHS physio centre but in the meantime, she gave me some great tips and an exercise programme to do whilst I waited. By the time I got my appointment I had greatly improved and cancelled.

There are loads of NHS exercise programmes online that I follow for back problems, perhaps have a search and you might find something that would help you with your foot issue.

Physiotherapy is enormously beneficial, but I would not tolerate a sub-standard service and I would cancel immediately.   

[getting_old]

Well I have cancelled the appointment which was later this week, and they asked if I wanted to reschedule. I said I didn't and also said that I'd let them know about the other appointments I have in the next few weeks.

It's actually shockwave therapy, so not something I can DIY, although I'd be happy to give it a go  That's why the appointments are so short, and really he's on to a good thing because I'm paying the same as I would for an appointment that would last 30 minutes and require him to manipulate joints, muscles, etc. but only taking 10 minutes of his time, and giving him a chance to catch up for future patients!!

I'm going to look around and see if I can find someone else who can provide the same treatment before making a final decision, so I'll only continue with him if there isn't an alternative option. If I do go back to see him I'll be leaving if he's more than 10 minutes late as it's just rude.

[Flossieteacake]

Have you checked if this is available on the NHS? I saw a podiatrist for foot issues and I am sure I had the same treatment. It was a probe type thing attached to a machine and he used it on my feet for about 10 minutes.

[CLKD]

What on earth is shock wave therapy ? 

[Flossieteacake]

What on earth is shock wave therapy ? 

Shockwave therapy is a treatment for recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. It is a non-invasive procedure that delivers shockwaves to the symptomatic area of the foot (Achilles tendon or plantar fascia). The shockwaves are low energy audible sound waves (not electric waves), that increase the blood flow to speed up the body’s healing process. Extracorporeal means outside of the body and refers to the way the shockwaves are delivered.

What does shockwave therapy involve?

The procedure is performed in the out-patient department by a doctor, physiotherapist or specialist nurse. A handheld device is used to deliver shock waves through applied ultrasound gel and the skin to the symptomatic area of the foot.

Most patients do experience discomfort or pain during the procedure. We can tailor the number of shocks and strength of the shock to make it manageable for you. Each procedure lasts approximately five minutes and can be quite noisy.

The exact number of procedures required depends on a patient’s individual progress. A course though usually entails three to six procedures. Each procedure is performed seven to 10 days apart.

[getting_old]

Have you checked if this is available on the NHS? I saw a podiatrist for foot issues and I am sure I had the same treatment. It was a probe type thing attached to a machine and he used it on my feet for about 10 minutes.

It may be, but I was assuming I'd need to be referred and the waitlist would be long so went to this guy who was recommended by someone I know. After leaving the other day I did ask the person if he'd kept them waiting at every appointment and she said he was usually fairly prompt! I'm going to research physiotherapists, but will now look at podiatrists too in case they have the equipment. I don't mind paying to get the problem resolved quicker, but only if I get the service I'm paying for.

[CLKD]

OUCH!     I would run a mile 

[Flossieteacake]

Good luck with that, getting old.

CDLK, I am a wimp but I did not feel any pain when I had it done. It was more a warmth.

[CLKD]

Is it a recommended treatment for any part of the body?