Natasha Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Had specialist appt. at 180 early January for 10:00 a.m. Arrive at 9:00. By 11:00, getting restless along with the others in the standing-room-only waiting area. One lady said she heard they take people NOT in order of appt., but in order of placing tarjeton on desk at reception area! Went over and asked. Sure enough -- time of appt. means nothing. "Tarjetons in place" rule! Spoke to Jefe at Chapala clinic about this. He agreed seemed ridiculous to assign appt. times if not going to respct them. I noted if tarjetons on the desk is the rule, then why not give EVERYONE an 8:00 a.m. appt. and let us all fight it out for our turn? He agreed it seemed an unfair system and said he would look into it. At regular appt. in Chapala last week, we talked again. He told me he had arranged/attended a meeting with 180 about this, and their reply was that they give appt. times so they know how many people they can book per "shift". BUT, YES, they actually do not have that in their system, and the rule is FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. (This is a big change from 2012 when they did respect appointment times.) Suggested he mention to Lorena so she can tell people that regardless of their supposed appt. time, the earlier they get there and plop down their booklet, the sooner they'll get seen. He said he would do that. And yes, this applies to afternoon appts. as well. Was given future one by Archivo at 180 for 5:20 pm, but she told me if I would come at 1:00 pm and get my card down on the desk, I would be seen earlier............. so guess I'll be taking my kindle and a snack! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensley Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 It is like that all the time, there can be up to 20+ people scheduled for 1 appt. so when your book goes in that is who you are after. It has nothing to do with the time except that is when you should have your book in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted February 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Actually, that was not my experience in January, and it's not how the receptionist there, nor the director in Chapala explained it to me. For example, my appt. was in my tarjeton for 10:00 a.m. But what I SHOULD have done was arrive at the crack of dawn like many others, regardless of what their tarjeton says, and plopped my book on the counter. For example. if someone had their "appt." in their book at 12:30 pm that day (same doctor) but they put their book on the counter at 8:10, they would have been ahead of me because I did not put my book on the counter until 9:00. Similarly, the lady in archivo specifially told me that while my appt. (different specialty) is shown at 5:20 pm, I should arrive at 1:00 pm and get my book in the line-up, and I will be seen in order of books on the counter. This is a definite change from their process in 2012, but at least people should understand how it works so as to plan accordingly, especially those who need to take drivers and/or translators with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Depending on the type of specialist you have an appointment with... so there seems to have a different appointment system..when I saw a cardiologist at 180, his intern posted a notice on the door with our names and specific time..regardless of the time give by the local clinic and how you placed your book on the secretary desk!!! go figure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted February 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 Interesting. I saw a dermatoligist last time. Next appt. (March) is with Ortho-trauma guy..... wonder how they wlll handle THAT one? It would be great to have your name on a posted list -- at least you could decide whether to sit there or to go for a little walk... Still think I'll head out as early as I can, and take breakfast with me to eat AFTER I sign in! Will post results if anything changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepez Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 Natasha, Unless things have changed, you can't bring in any outside food or drink. Of course, if they don't check your bag, they won't know. But if they do check your bag, they will make you leave the food and/or drink with them at the security booth. There are soft drink and water vending machines inside the hospital and a little cafe in the courtyard and prices are cheap. Might be easier to just bring a pocketful of pesos with you and buy your food and drink there. And, word to the wise, bring toilet paper and/or tissues with you. There may be some outside the bathrooms, but there may not. And, yes, definitely bring your Kindle! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensley Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 We always bring bottles of water and a snack, they allow that. Even when they checked my bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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