Phone System A Disservice To Health District, Public Letter Of The Week: From August 2

I recently had to contact the Spokane County Health District and found no one home.

I called the information line and got a recording. I called the emergency number and got a recording. I called the business office and got a recording. I was given a variety of numbers to call by a voice speaking at warp 10, and wasn’t able to write them down.

I then started at the beginning of the departments listed in the telephone directory and called the first seven numbers - all recordings.

Is the public being served?

I was fortunate enough to call the lab and spoke briefly with a young lady who transferred me to a recording. After 17 attempts, I threw my hands up and called the commissioners’ office. I was given a number not listed in the directory. Phone call No. 19 was of no help and I was transferred to phone call 20.

This system is a disservice to the health district employees who must deal with a very frustrated public. The anger is brought on by the health district’s idiocy.

I don’t believe for a minute this system is cost-effective. This system is not just extremely bad management, it’s a blatant insult to the public.

I can only speak for myself, but I deserve better.

I should be able to call the information line and have a human direct me to the appropriate department not listed in the directory. Do the words “customer service” mean anything? Linda Becker Veradale

xxxx