Hmm. My sister was a receptionist and then a practice manager for a local doctor, so I know it's not all one sided. She would get folk calling for an urgent apointment for thier child, so she'd say "If you bring them now, I'll fit you in". "Oh,no" comes the reply "He's at school, it will have to be after 3.30pm"
The doctor probably hadn't told her - you could have been Jack the Ripper, so I can't blame her entirely.