What on earth? Why would I only be sent a video link to the appointment just before the start time?

ThankGod · February 18

So I have an assessment with a psychiatrist at 10.30 am this morning. This is a new person/department I have never spoken to before. They just keep being vague about how the assessment will take place. When I was given the appointment date back in January the person said I'd be emailed a link for some kind of video chat. I called them yesterday to let them know I've received no such email. The person said "Wait until tomorrow. The link to the session will be emailed out to you then." Nothing has come through. The appointment is in 27 minutes. I just called them again to tell them I've received no email and the person said: "Well it's not 10.30am yet. You will probably receive the email link just at the time the session starts."
What kind of BS is this? It's really adding to my anxiety.
Why would they only be able to email out the link as the session starts? How can I even attend the session if I don't have the details to access it?

Tori_Scope · February 19

I'm sorry we didn't catch this yesterday @ThankGod. Did you send you the video link in the end?

I can imagine that it would have been anxiety-inducing not to be sent the link until the last minute, and I'm not sure why they wouldn't have set it up earlier, unless they were worried about you starting a call before the start time perhaps? Do you mind me asking what service they're using to host the call?

woodbine · February 19

@ThankGod so how did it got? did you do a video link?

lisathomas50 · February 20

@Tori_Scope from my experience of using zoom with job support the link is only sent when the appointment is due to start

Job support send me a link to open thst says to join the meeting and I click on it to join the meeting

If that's any help

mikehughescq · February 20

If all you are doing is appointments all day then the only practical solution is to send the link out immediately prior. Sending it out weeks, days or hours in advance means it tends to get lost and people;e get embroiled in the equally tedious “I can’t find it/definitely never had it/please send it again” conversation.

A study was done by the NHS about what worked best in the majority of cases and it found overwhelmingly that 5 to 10 minutes beforehand was the answer.

OverlyAnxious · February 20

I've been using a Zoom meeting regularly over the last few months. In this case the link gets sent the minute I sign up...which can be up to a month in advance! On the day I then have to try and find the correct link scrolling back through weeks of emails. If I search for the email it brings up all the near-identical emails from every other sign up as well. Sending the link shortly before it's going to be used seems like a better option!

cupcake88 · February 21

Hi there my mental health team either call me or come out and see me but my medication review with the pychiatrist was done over the phone .

How did it go ?

What on earth? Why would I only be sent a video link to the appointment just before the start time?

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