Unsolicited invitation to an appointment?
Unsolicited invitation to an appointment?
Author
Discussion

Bowler

Original Poster:

915 posts

241 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
Not a rant, but both the OH and I have had an unsolicited letter today from an organisation called “UK Biobank” inviting us to participate in a study into the prevention and treatment of, blah, blah, cancer, strokes blah, blah, health issues. Real glossy stuff, implying that they are supported by the NHS and a few other (Gov't)organisations and charities.

The cheeky fkers have even made an appointment for me (in 6 weeks time) at a local assessment centre, which happens to be in my local city centre – 12:50pm, on a working day. They say that the tests take 2 hours and involves standard medical tests, including blood, urine and saliva samples

They’ve included a pro-forma to fill in (and SAE), so that we can confirm the appointment, or ask for an alternative time. To be fair, the pro-forma also allows me to say I’m not interested (and to state why!)

Yeah Right! As if I’m going to take a day off work, schlep in, pay to park the car, wait for an hour in a queue of plebs, so that some university student can spend 2 hours to tell me that I’m not healthy, I'm overweight, eat the wrong foods, drink too much and shouldn’t smoke.

The OH has simply binned it and I’m inclined to do the same as I’m amazed that this organisation should simply expect me to turn up for a mid week appointment...

Am I just being an arse, for being too fat and lazy to pick up a pen and say no thanks and then wheeze round to the post box, so that I can politely decline their invitation?

Given the tests, should I just post them some soiled underwear in the SAE? 90% of the data is there isn't it?

Has anyone else had one of these invitations?


Edited for st grammer

Edited by Bowler on Wednesday 20th January 23:54

physprof

996 posts

217 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
post a turd in a box....

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

285 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
Had one. My appointment was a Saturday...my birthday hehe

I think you'll find this is a genuine research programme and you were invited after your GP gave your contact details as you met the criteria...

Old fart, that is...smile

Bowler

Original Poster:

915 posts

241 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
Old fart, that is...smile
smile

Nail. Head.

bogwoppit

705 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Believe it's a genuine bit of non-profit research in an important area of public health, and your participation could be of real benefit to society. Your name will have been put forward either because you ticked yes on some form (e.g. doctor, blood donor).

Or, you could decide to mail them a turd instead. And while you're at it, you could nip over to Haiti and "drop the kids off" from 10,000 feet just to rub it in. smile

AJS-

15,366 posts

266 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Just bin it.

Digger

16,888 posts

221 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
They will probably pay any travel expenses if you do go ahead with it.

http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/faqs/contacted.php


Edited by Digger on Thursday 21st January 05:09

Corpulent Tosser

5,468 posts

275 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Don't bin the SAE, use it, just change the address.

Jasandjules

72,611 posts

259 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Bowler said:
Am I just being an arse, for being too fat and lazy to pick up a pen and say no thanks and then wheeze round to the post box, so that I can politely decline their invitation?
Why decline it? Just ignore it. Don't waste your time/effort on something you are not interested in.

Four Cofffee

11,838 posts

265 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
I suppose some people will turn up, so rather than dealing with the inertia of someone having to book an appointment, they simpy based on issue a timed invitaton and hope to skim the benevolent.

Matt Evans

1,530 posts

204 months

Thursday 21st January 2010
quotequote all
Bowler said:
Am I just being an arse, for being too fat and lazy to pick up a pen and say no thanks and then wheeze round to the post box, so that I can politely decline their invitation?

Given the tests, should I just post them some soiled underwear in the SAE? 90% of the data is there isn't it?
Fill the envelope with the rest of your unwanted junk mail, then post it back to them. They'll have to foot the additional postage costs. That's what my grandpa used to do when he got any unwanted mail!

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

285 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Why is everyone so hostile...?

How would you like medical research to proceed...?

I took part in a similar programme a few years ago that was conducted by my GP's nurse.

When I returned for the result of the blood test, she explained, with drawings, how prostate surgery works...

I promptly passed out...

Which was fun...



Edited by mybrainhurts on Friday 22 January 01:52

paulmurr

4,203 posts

242 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
My Dad participated in one of these things for bowel cancer a few years ago. He retired at 51 so it isn't like he had anything else to do hehe

ivanj

203 posts

254 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Send the poop, pee, spit and blood in a box.

Neil H

15,418 posts

281 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Bowler said:
Am I just being an arse, for being too fat and lazy to pick up a pen and say no thanks and then wheeze round to the post box, so that I can politely decline their invitation?
confused No, just bin it!

Cara Van Man

29,977 posts

281 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
I think it's a bit off that your GP gave out your details.....

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

285 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Cara Van Man said:
I think it's a bit off that your GP gave out your details.....
Vhen zer guffernment sezz you do it, you do it...

Cotty

42,247 posts

314 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
Why is everyone so hostile...?
Because everyone is out to get you.

Size Nine Elm

5,167 posts

314 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Had one of those a couple of years ago. Went along and did all the stuff. No big deal.

Why the Post Rage? Is it really worth getting worked up about? You can always ignore or say no...

ETA: If you're that worked up about, it's probably not doing your health any good - better get along for a check-up smile

Edited by Size Nine Elm on Friday 22 January 14:11

King Herald

23,501 posts

246 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
quotequote all
Cara Van Man said:
I think it's a bit off that your GP gave out your details.....
When the new government centralised information system 'rolls out' everybody and their dog will have that information anyway, so I'd not worry about it too much.