Doctor's receptionists! [Archive] - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

louise1234

10-02-2005, 9:43 PM

Basically I was concerned I had chest infection/something more serious and called doctors to make an appt, as you do.

The receptionist then grilled me as to why I wished to see the Doctor. I described to her all the symptoms of pnemonia, but as I said cough as my first symptom - she would not give me an appt, saying i had to do this new scheme at chemist (obviously for colds etc.)

She would not believe me when I said I thought it was something more serious, and I only got an appt (5 days away) as I needed to see the doctor about something else. As she was dragon like, this was the best way around.

She then had to 'check' it would be laright for me to see GP about this as well!! 10 minutes of grilling when I was ill - cheers!

Anyway, after getting worse, and diagnosing myself on net with pnemonia, I called NHS Direct - who OTT made me go by Ambulance to A&E.

Casualty's diagnosis was either pnemonia (more likely) or possibly foreign body in lung.

I think it is terrible that a medical decision is made by someone, who only has a medical qualifications to spell the words!! Or none at all.

I am appalled I gave all the symptoms (definite & additional) of pnemonia & just because I said cough first, she would not let me see Doctor regarding this.

Thinking about complaining, suggesting reception staff do medical course (other than spelling) before restricting access to GP's.

Anyone else have stories of evil receptionists??

sunflower

10-02-2005, 10:31 PM

thats a shocking story !!

my doc's receptionists arent so much evil - but i just feel embarrassed having to explain my ailments to them

whats it got to do with them? :o

Magentasue

10-02-2005, 10:51 PM

I hate all this pretence that people are being 'qualified' to do jobs that just need experience and people skills. Medical Reception is one - my GP had two receptionists that knew me by name and knew my family. They never asked why I needed to see or speak to my doctor but were happy to take a message if that's what I wanted. Now we have a new surgery with partners and a pack of receptionists who are wannabe nurses. I just say 'I'm not prepared to discuss that with you' but they don't like it - when I mentioned it to my GP, he laughed and said 'You're braver than I am, they scare me to death!'

Glad

10-02-2005, 10:53 PM

that's awful Louise

receptionists shouldn't be making medical decisions and the oppertunity of having a same day emergency appointment should always be offered,
see nhs.uk (http://www.nhs.uk/england/aboutTheNHS/complainCompliment.cmsx) for how to complain about NHS treatment,

your first course of action is a local complaint to the surgery, write aletter to the practise manager outlining your complaint and set a date when you expect a response by, ask for acknowledgement of the letter and keep all correspondence.

SnowyOwl

10-02-2005, 10:55 PM

Used to belong to a surgery in Harrow Wealdstone where if you called up to make an appointment they would put you on hold - held once for over an hour from work! Woman I worked for was v.understanding when I told her what I was doing. She even phoned the surgery and explained that her employee was on the other line for over an hour and that she wanted me to get back to work. Did they pick the phone up and speak to me...did they hell! Can't remember now how long I continued to hold but it was a long time and in the end I just put the phone down and registered elsewhere.

Had a friend who went to the same surgery. On one occasion when she called to make an appointment she got the male receptionist who wanted to know what was wrong with her. Answer was bad period pain to which he commented that wasn't very serious, and take some paracetamol. She had actually been advised, at 24, to consider a hysterectomy as she was having major problems. The tosser on the phone made her feel like a stupid whinging child/woman and humiliated her on this very personal problem.

Have had the receptionists at other surgerys make me spell out what was wrong as well. It's so embarrassing, and as the other posters on here have indicated it's none of their business. They are not qualified to make any decision or comment about a patient's health, they are administrators and should stick to doing admin. GPs should be ashamed of themselves that their patients are allowed to be treated and patronised in this way.

SammyPops

12-02-2005, 12:08 AM

GP's are under a very heavy workload. It is the receptionists job to find out the nature of the call and divert it accordingly. They do have medical training for the job and are there to do more than 'just admin'.

People ring up demanding to speak to the doctor for trivial things like the results of a blood test, which the receptionist can give over the phone. People may ring up wanting a smear which can be dealt with by a practice nurse rather than the doctor. They might have an illness which can be self treated by seeing the pharmacist and buying over the counter medicines. Some cases may just need reassurance which the doctor can do with a quick telephone call rather than booking out a whole appointment.

I agree some are dragons, but they do need to know what is wrong with you, so they can recommend the best course of action. As with any services sometimes they do get it wrong, as with OP's post, but generally they do help ease the workload on the doctor which is better for all of us.

We all have experienced long waits to see a GP. By not telling the receptionist why you are ringing and demanding an appointment, you could be wasting GP time and adding to the wait for others.

mini

12-02-2005, 9:48 AM

I usually ring NHS Direct first 0845 4647 I find their advice & questions informative & reassuring, if they recommend seeing a doctor I feel 'armed' to ring surgery & always say NHS Direct have said for me to ring. I have also found NHS Direct give an indication of how urgent they view your problem. For my daughter I was told she had to see a doctor within an hour then they rang back to check I had acted on their advice:) Other times they have said see a doctor today.

mini

SammyPops

12-02-2005, 11:16 AM

Do ring and book an appointment with your surgery after NHS Direct advise seeing your GP. Don't just turn up at the surgery.

My aunt is a GP's receptionist and was working in the baby clinic, when a young woman arrived at the desk. She had been diagnosed with mumps over the phone and NHS Direct had said she must go to her GP's ASAP.

The surgery were quite annoyed about this, as they had a waiting room full of tiny babies, some of which have not been immunised yet, and this highly infectious woman walked right through the middle of them.

My aunt immediately removed her from the waiting room, and stuck her in the staff common room, and she had to wait till another GP came back from house calls to see her. If only she had rang in advance, they would have given her an appointment for evening surgery and made sure she was not putting other patients at risk.

mini

12-02-2005, 12:52 PM

Just to clarify NHS direct have always told me to ring, not turn up at the doctors, or ask for a doctor to visit. We are lucky to have super helpful local GP's - once you get past the receptionist;)

Bossyboots

12-02-2005, 1:45 PM

We only get asked what is wrong if we are trying to make an emergency appointment so that the receptionist can assess if it is truly an emergency. So far I have never been asked what is wrong when booking a routine appointment. Like others here, I would not tell them even if they did ask.

I can understand why they ask for emergency appointments but they do need to be more discreet. A lady rang while I was there one evening saying she needed to see the doctor that night as her leg was really painful and she couldn't put her weight on it. All the other patients knew that information because the receptionist rang the doctor and asked him about it. The patient was asked whether she could get to the morning surgery and she said she couldn't because she was going to work. Not surprisingly she was asked to make a routine appointment as it clearly wasn't that bad. If that lady had been seen though we would all have known when she came in what was wrong with her. Imagine if it had been something personal.

Poppy9

12-02-2005, 2:08 PM

I rarely ring to see my GP luckily but when I do I always refuse to tell them why I want to see a doctor. I had trouble getting a non urgent appointment for my daughter and myself outside school/office hours. They simply refused to give me one as their appointment system was between 9am and 3pm. Before 9am emergencies only after 3pm turn up and wait. Having previously turned up and waited 2 hours before being seen I was not prepared to do that. I asked to speak to practice manager who informed me they were incorrect and should have issued me with an appointment. I am not allowed time off for medical appointments unless I can make back the time. Difficult if you have school age children and are limited when you can work.

I have also avoided going to the doctor because we are constantly by the Health Service told there is nothing they can do for a sore throat etc. and to just go to the pharmist. However on one occassion the infection spread from my throat to my sinuses and ears and when I did eventually go to the doctor they told me I should have come a week earlier as my condition was now serious.

Not all receptionist are awful - my fathers surgery was brilliant. The surgery building itself had been condemed as it was 100 year old mid terrace house that had never been updated. Rooms with no windows or air conditioning has simply been built using plywood. Yet amongst all this was an angel - the receptionist. I had turned up there for the first time ever to collect a repeat prescription for my father. I joined a lengthy queue and noticed that the receptionist knew them all by name and asked after them and their family. As they were predominently elderly this meant a lot to them. I was warmly greeted and when she gave me the prescription she asked after my father etc. She was working in sh*t conditions, the waiting room was packed and she simply had a desk amongst them yet there was a lovely atmostphere in the room. Contrast to my modern surgery with a receptionist who took delight in telling you to redial for prescription on another number, not the one listed in the phone book, she would then put down the phone and pick the one next to it up when it rang for a prescription. She would smirk at waiting patients. Else she would loudly ask you in front of the waiting room "When is your next period" if you needed to book in for a smear :(

juno

12-02-2005, 9:55 PM

JayS

12-02-2005, 10:13 PM

Absolutely refuse to tell the Receptionist anything, site 'confidentiality', she would be breeching rules and regs if she insisted you tell her anything over the phone.

Or, if you know any medical terminology, scatter that is amongst the symptoms, frightens them off !!!

Failing that, if you think she will tell you to take a paracetamol etc, tell her you have something more dramatic wrong with you to get the appointment(but be sure your true symptoms merit an appointment with the doctor in the first place).

Sofa_Sogood

12-02-2005, 10:22 PM

I wrote this on the old board, but that was a while ago and it's funny so I thought I;d write it again. This is a true conversation with my doctor's receptionist.

Me: Hi, can I have an appointment to see Dr Thompson after 3 please?
Her: We've got one at 10am
Me: Do you have anything a bit later?
Her: After that we don't have anything until 3pm
Me: Could I have that one please?
Her: That's at 10am then

:D rofl. I'd have turned up at 12.

I had a dragon of a receptionist at one GP's surgery.

Once, when my husband rang up for a repeat prescription for me, she told him that they'd (her included), had just had a 'case study' about me.

We didn't think she had any qualifications to be able to sit in on such a delicate situation, or whether she should have discussed the fact, so my other half jumped in the car to go and see the doctor.

He's very rarely rude to anyone, and very very very rarely to a woman, but I think he lost his temper that day, and she apologised reluctantly, as did the doctor.

Not long after we found a new doctor.

With a more professional receptionist.

There's good and bad everywhere I suppose.

Poppy9

12-02-2005, 11:45 PM

Sofa sogood

You must be so important to warrant a case conference :D :D :D

Sofa_Sogood

12-02-2005, 11:54 PM

Sofa sogood

You must be so important to warrant a case conference :D

It took me years to get that reputation Poppy :rolleyes:

Don't knock it :D

But to get back on topic, she had a little office type place from where she made her calls, and where people queued up for an appointment, (it was in the days of 'first come, first served - blimey, that takes me back), so all the queue for that day knew it was me!

Ho hum ..

I'm with a better class of doctor now, bigger office :D

But seriously, it's scary reading louise's story.

Queenie

13-02-2005, 8:25 AM

Do make a complaint.

Even with some medical training (as SammyPops claims they have) in this particular instance, she failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation!
Therefore, you will be highlighting a "training need" for the receptionist (as I said: IF she has some medical training!)

However, you are not to know if she has med. training or not!

I have had a similar experience; it became evident to me that I wasn't getting anywhere. The receptionist was advising Calpol™ for my son's condition :rolleyes: I then asked the receptionist if she was refusing to have my young child seen by a GP that day? (she repeated her speil) Ok, then I shall call out the On-Call Dr or visit A&E and explain that you are refusing to allow my child medical treatment!

I was speedily called back by the Practice Manager and was asked to bring him in ;)

Many years ago my Doctor told me this: "A GP is only as good as the Receptionist. If *they* fail the patient, *we* gain the bad rep!"

nearlyrich

13-02-2005, 9:27 PM

Savvy_Sue

20-02-2005, 1:40 AM

After years of frustration with my doctors receptionists, the latest lunacy being having to ring up at the start of the surgery session to get an appointment, great when I work all over the place and could be 3 hours away, they have recently introduced an online appointments system so I can book a convenient appointment with the doctor I choose upto 3 weeks before. I love it.
Oh PLEASE when can we have that system? We also have the lunacy of having to ring at 8.30 am to get an appointment, and although you are supposed to get one that day it is nigh on impossible to get one at a time to suit the patient or with the GP you actually want to see, so continuity of care has gone completely down the tubes.

OK if it is an emergency it is good to know you should be able to see someone the same day, but plenty of us have non-emergency problems for which we need routine appointments, so being able to make appointments in advance and with the right GP is pretty essential. And although OFFICIALLY we are supposed to be able to make appointments TWO DAYS ahead for non-emergencies, just try asking the receptionist for one of those! They do not like it, and tell you to phone on the day, and they do not like the fact that some of us KNOW we are supposed to be able to make them in advance.

That rant over. Years ago we used to have a terrifying receptionist, but as I grew up I realised one day that actually she didn't mean to sound fierce, it was just the way she spoke. It was the day when she asked me how my brother was doing - she did at least know all the patients and my brother had been taken ill away from home - in exactly the same voice as she always used for "Is it an emergency? Do you have to see the doctor today?"

Glad

20-02-2005, 9:21 AM

we have to ring at 8.30 too for an appt that day, it usually takes me until 8.45 to get through and then be told that 1st appt is at 12, their is more than one manning the phones though and by the time I've said 'oh is that the earliest? and it will have to do' she is answering 'sorry too late that one's gone now...........'

they are really nice at our surgery though and I've found them very helpful in suggesting which GP would be best depending on what the prob is,

I think that if you don't want them to know your probs then don't tell them, but if it's something you don't mind sharing then let them know as it may make a difference to scheduling and so to someone else.

Due to patient confidentiality though they shouldn't be letting other patients know your business, if you think that is happening the a word with the Practice Manager should stop it, some receptionists may not be aware of how far their voice is carrying,

the OP should however complain about his treatment, complaining is not just getting someone in trouble, it is a means to prevent it happining again

filigree

20-02-2005, 3:18 PM

I reckon this thread could extend to a dozen pages because I don't know anyone who hasn't had at least one bad experience with a receptionist.

I've had one who told me that if I was well enough to walk into the room unaided it wasn't an emergency, and if I wanted an appointment in less than two weeks I'd have to go to Casualty.

My current practice lost my records because of a mix up with a patient with the same name. Now every time I call them I make them take my date of birth to double check. They refused to let me see a doctor and said I couldn't re-register since the list was full - I'd just had surgery and I've got a chronic illness.

The baby clinic changed the system all the time - file in the basket, file in the box, hand file to Health Visitor - you name it. They invariably treated you like a moron for not clairvoyantly knowing what to do. I solved the problem by marching up to the desk every time and asking "baby clinic please - what system are we using this week?"

I've had receptionists assert vigorously that I don't know my own address, I don't know my child's name and that I must have amnesia or alzheimers because they got my details wrong - god forbid they should ever admit that I'm right.

I'm hard of hearing and they never, ever, make any effort to catch my attention when my name is called, despite me trying to explain to them. I can cope so long as I sit near the reception desk and keep alert, gawd knows how the truly deaf are treated.

On the plus side, one of the receptionists is fantastic, knows my son by name and when he was severely ill she would always bump him right to the top of the list. My GP is the best I've ever had, he really went the extra distance when my son was ill, and even now he asks after him when he sees me. Sometimes we get great service and it's worth telling them so, I reckon if you praise them for good service they'll keep it up.

jeryth

24-02-2005, 8:38 PM

Crikey, there's some bad stories here. I'm going for an interview tomorrow to be a Medical Receptionist, for a single handed doctor's practice. (Both my IBPA and I thought the doctor had one hand) BUT I also considered a Medical Receptionist vacancy which would have included training in things like collecting blood samples and monitoring blood pressure. Also, my local College does a course for a Medical Receptionist. So don't offhandedly assume that Sammypops is making things up.

For my part, I have no complaints about the staff at my surgery; and NHS Direct has been marvellous.

Paul Varjak

24-02-2005, 9:00 PM

Personally, I have had no problem at my GP's surgery with any receptionist in all nine years I have been a patient there. I have plenty of complaints about hospitals but never a problem at my GP's surgery (with anyone).

A few weeks ago a hospital appointment of mine was postponed by the hospital by one week. Just before I was due to go it wqqas postponed until further notice.

My GP is now doing the blood test that the hospital does when I go there. But, of course, he cannot do everything that the consultant would do.

A few weeks ago I went to visit my Uncle after the death of my mum. Whilst there, I took my aunt to hospital because she was in severe pain. (She had been going to the doctors about this on several occasions but nothing was done).

An X-Ray was taken, and it transpires that my aunt has lung cancer and the cancer has broken a rib causing the pain. They did a biopsy a couple of weeks later but, despite the tumour being large and the fact they used a CAT scan during the biopsy, they did the biopsy in the wrong place!

As a result, my aunt cannot have treatment as they do not know what type of cancer she has. She has since been back into hospital for another biopsy of her lymph nodes under a general anaesthetic. Let's hope the result of that is better!

Poppy9

24-02-2005, 9:21 PM

Paul

Your poor Aunt that is terrible. A similar situation arose with my mother 17 years ago. Gp ignored her symptons and told her it was all in her head. He almost managed to convince my father and sister the same. We asked for a private referral but had to take her to casualty before the appointment came through. The hospital were marvellous and in 30 minutes diagnosed her. Sadly all they could offer was pallative care. She came home and received fantastic care from the Macmillan nurses and my fathers GP. On the same day she died an appointment card came for her to see a private doctor.

katy2

27-02-2005, 10:21 PM

Poppy I really identify with your story re the times you can get an appointment. We moved here 14 years ago. Went to the Dr's, and was told I'd have to have new patients medical before I went again. I siad fine, make me an appointment for a morning or early afternoon. I was told I could only have one late afternoon,early eve, I explained absolutely no way I could come then, but no had to be afternoon as it would be a double apponitment. I said this is ridiculous, if I was ill, there probably wouldn't be any appointments available, there is nothing wrong and you want to give me a double one. Result was I never had one. Next time I went to Dr's, he mentioned it, I repeated the story, he rolled his eyes and sent for my notes and I never did have the medical. My OH tho' for that very reason, has lived here for 14 years and is still not registered with the Dr's. Just as well we hardly ever go to them. When you hear of the difficulty people have making appointments it is hardly surprising so many people just end up presenting themselves at their nearest A&E.

Ted_Hutchinson

28-02-2005, 8:43 AM

frizz_head

28-02-2005, 9:13 AM

Does anyone else think it is unfair that a discussion on the rights and wrongs of receptionists is permitted but an enquiry as to what to do when your consultant is an ignorant prat is locked?

If we are to help moneysavers get the best value from their health service it is appropriate to allow discussion of ways to improve either the NHS or the patients ability to deal with it?

Ted "you're going the right way for a smacked bottom" Austin Powers to Madonna in Beautiful Stranger video.

Join the club, I had my "Stye on the Eye" thread locked also.

Smartasss

28-02-2005, 9:37 AM

Lillibet

28-02-2005, 11:38 AM

Humm....not sure if I shoudl post my little tale of woe after the last comments but I'm gonna anyway!

After sufering various re-occuring symptoms in early pregnancy I contacted my surgery fpr an appointment & was offered one at 12pm the same day. At 10.30 the GP called me to say she was unable to keep the appointment & could she help me over the phone or would I prefer to go to A & E?! I explained the problems & she concluded that as I had an appointment with the mid-wife in 2 days I could wait until after I had to seen the mid-wife & if any presecription was required she assured me she would be availble to see me & prescribe accordinley & that she would fit me into her schedule. Sure enough the mid-wife recommend several treatments, which she wrote in my ante-natal notes. I went to reception to ask to see a GP as per the mid-wifes instructions & in accordance tihe my earlier conversation with the GP, the receptionist flatly refused to allow me to see the GP, said as I had just seen the mid-wife it wasn't necessary, insisted I tell her what the problem was & then insisted I show her my notes to back up my story, all the while with a ever-growing queue of people behind me. The the receptionist had the nerve to tell me that we all suffer from this particular probelm whilst pregnant (I have a previous history of it & it has just worsened considerably during pregnancy but she failed to listen to this) & told me that she just ignored it during her 4 pregnancies! By this point I was ready to burst into tears & gave up & went home. I sent a letter of complaint to my GP that night & she phoned me & offered me an appoitnment the day she received the letter & acted on the mid-wifes advice.

I can only hope that the receptionist was suitably admonished for her treatment of me.

mini

28-02-2005, 12:01 PM

The Board Mods are making diverse decisions a lot lately!

This thread is as unconnected with the Forum's aims as the locked threads are!

How does having a rant at the receptionists save the rest of us any money?

Hi

This thread was started before the rules of the board were clarified, it doesn't contain specific medical advice so I have been happy to leave it here:)

regards,
mini

Smartasss

28-02-2005, 12:49 PM

This thread was started before the rules of the board were clarified, it doesn't contain specific medical advice so I have been happy to leave it here:)

Hi mini

On 22nd Feb, MSE Martin wrote:

"this is a moratorium. We're starting afresh from here."

The posters who have been ranting since the Board rules were spelt out, (eg lillibet above, who has posted this morning), are well aware this is not a forum to sound off about receptionists, yet they still are continuing to do so!

Lillibet

28-02-2005, 1:05 PM

Hi mini

On 22nd Feb, MSE Martin wrote:

"this is a moratorium. We're starting afresh from here."

The posters who have been ranting since the Board rules were spelt out, (eg lillibet above, who has posted this morning), are well aware this is not a forum to sound off about receptionists, yet they still are continuing to do so!

Sorry All, but the above was not at all clear to me, had it have been I would obviously not have posted. I do not habitually break the forums rules. Apologies to all if I have contravened any rules but as I say it wasn't at all clear to me & I am at a loss to see how anything connected to a doctors receptionist could be money saving in the first place?

Lillibet x

MSE Martin

28-02-2005, 1:07 PM

I have to say I havent read all the posts above. However I don't see any problem with discussing GP receptionists - it is giving advice about medical treatments I dont want discussed on the boards.

Martin

Smartasss

28-02-2005, 1:23 PM

However I don't see any problem with discussing GP receptionists - it is giving advice about medical treatments I dont want discussed on the boards.

This discussion was triggered by Tom Hutchinson's question in his post above (no.26):

"Does anyone else think it is unfair that a discussion on the rights and wrongs of receptionists is permitted but an enquiry as to what to do when your consultant is an ignorant prat is locked?

If we are to help moneysavers get the best value from their health service it is appropriate to allow discussion of ways to improve either the NHS or the patients ability to deal with it?"

It does seem conradictory to allow vents against receptionists (which are not to do with money saving), but to lock a discussion on doctors because it is not to do with money saving!

Poppy9

28-02-2005, 1:50 PM

pickle

28-02-2005, 2:17 PM

Here we blooming go again. Hayfever for me and daughter has kicked in. Rang on friday for repeat prescription at 12.30pm - "sorry surgery closed please ring back after 2pm". Sadly my lunch hour was over at 1.30pm and as I was in a meeting all pm unable to call back until 4.30pm then I had "sorry repeat prescriptions can only be ordered between 10am and 11 am". This morning I rang - blooming engaged between 10am and 11am constantly. As I have to wait 48 hours after ordering a repeat prescription to collect I have lost another day.

At this rate I am going to have to go for an appointment and waste a doctors time because I need my medicene. :(

That's ridiculous! How on earth is anyone expected to function if this is the service. I found out this morning that an urgent consultation i was supposed to have had referred a week ago hadn't even been received by the hospital! It was only after numerous phone calls and insistence that i got it sorted out! I hate to think how people who find it difficult to assert themselves fare. I guess they just get forgotten about. I think the NHS needs a serious overhaul - there is far too much bureaucracy. In making an appointment for hospital about 5 people are involved. It's not just the receptionists, its the structure of the whole operation.

For example, for my test i had to first go through the secretary to make the appointment with the GP, then see GP, who then gives it to the receptionist who sends it to another medical centre to a person who make the appointments for the clinic at the hospital, this then gets received by the bookings clerk who sends out a letter to me (probably typed up by someone else). Then if (if i had actually received the appointment rather than having got lost in the system) i wanted to change the appointment i would have had to ring and leave a recorded message with 15 different answers to various questions and then they pluck another date (without consultation with me) and send another letter. And we wonder why there are waiting lists as long as there are??? Why can't doctors or nurses do basic tests in the surgery eg. blood tests, basic biopsies etc. There needs to be less people involved in the referral and treatment process. It's absolutely ludicrous and an accident waiting to happen (if it hasn't already). It's like something out of the movie 'Brazil'. I'm all for universal healthcare but it's got to work to be of any use. It's got all of the bureaucracy of a communist state without any of the benefits. Rant over now.

Poppy9

28-02-2005, 2:26 PM

I think what upsets people most about the silly systems that surgeries seem to employ is that most people are working and trying to fit in ringing and arranging appointments that are compatiable with their jobs and any family committments. You are not always so physically ill that you cannot work as most employers adopt a harsh attitude to sickness. In my place of work 5 days in 6 months and you are interviewed and a note is put on your employment record. 10 days in 12 months and its level 1 disciplinary. The result is that everyone comes into work smothering in colds and spreading the germs. The whole office for about a month is then working at below capacity so nothing has been gained. With the surgery though the attitude seems to be if you are well enough to work you don't need to see a doctor soon so keep calling at times convenient for us.

What has this got to do with Moneysaving. Well there is potential to save money on phone calls :)

queensway_boy

28-02-2005, 2:27 PM

pickle

28-02-2005, 2:31 PM

It should just be a whole lot simpler rather than being such a major pain every time you want to get something done! We'd save a lot of money in National Insurance if we didn't have to pay for so many bureaucrats whose only function seems to be to delay the efficiency of the structure. I think i heard somewhere that the NHS is the second biggest employer in the world, i think the Chinese Red Army was first. You'd think you'd get better service with that many people wouldn't you?

Edinburghlass

28-02-2005, 2:40 PM

I Agree with that Ted

Exactly how many times does Martin have to tell you what HE does NOT want posted on HIS boards?

Actually, don't bother replying to me and leave the thread to stay on topic please.

Smartasss

28-02-2005, 2:51 PM

Exactly how many times does Martin have to tell you what HE does NOT want posted on HIS boards?

Actually, don't bother replying to me and leave the thread to stay on topic please.

You lost me there, edinburghlass - how is your post "on topic"?

(And "Actually, don't bother replying to me" is not really in the spirit of "please be nice to other MoneySavers" which is at the top of every page)

queensway_boy

28-02-2005, 2:59 PM

Exactly how many times does Martin have to tell you what HE does NOT want posted on HIS boards?

Actually, don't bother replying to me and leave the thread to stay on topic please.

Are you saying that i or anyone else cannot Comment on other members ideas whether they get taken up or not.We know Martin is not likely to alter his rules on this but that does'nt stop anyone speaking there opinion because if thats the case, you should'nt have replied either.

Ted asked a question. Is he not allowed an answer?

queensway_boy

28-02-2005, 3:18 PM

You lost me there, edinburghlass - how is your post "on topic"?

(And "Actually, don't bother replying to me" is not really in the spirit of "please be nice to other MoneySavers" which is at the top of every page)

EXACTLY :(

Sofa_Sogood

28-02-2005, 3:25 PM

As it's already been pointed out that this is a valid topic that's open to discussion, is there anyway of getting back on track please? It's turning into a flame war between a couple of users against a couple of guides as far as I can see.

It's difficult to follow the topic when there's the constant disruptions to the flow of it.

That's also not in the spirit of being nice to other users in my honest and humble opinion.

Can we get back to doctor's receptionists if that's at all possible please?

Thanks.

moggins

28-02-2005, 3:46 PM

Sofa_Sogood

28-02-2005, 3:56 PM

We have a Triage system here, you phone, the triage nurse phones you back, discusses your symptoms, if it's really bad, you see the doctor, if it's not too bad but may need a prescription you see the triage nurse who is authorised to issue prescriptions.

Very efficient, very time saving and money conserving for everybody :D

Sounds like a good system to me moggins :)

We have a pharmacist's assistant that collects the prescriptions for people that can't get to the doctors, then she takes them to the chemist to be made up to dispense.

If I'm ever in doubt about anything, I find asking her usually helps, or the pharmacist. I'm not advocating that for everyone though - that might just be a one-off.

I'm not totally against doctor's receptionists, and I was always taught that a good receptionist/secretary is one that doesn't allow patients to distract a doctor/boss by putting patients calls through etc.

It's just that a few are turning into ogres ;)

queensway_boy

28-02-2005, 5:18 PM

Can we get back to doctor's receptionists if that's at all possible please?

Thanks.

Sorry Sofa

queensway_boy

01-03-2005, 4:46 PM

My practice receptionist has just started to refuse to take telephone instructions by anyone for repeat prescriptions.Can they do this?

Poppy9

01-03-2005, 6:13 PM

Sure can. GPs introduced repeat prescriptions so that they did not have to waste a consultation appointment. I think the guidelines in my surgery is depending on the medication 4-6 repeats and then you have to speak to a doctor. This can be by phone. In fact I managed to change my daughters medication by phone as it was just for neo clarityn instead of clarityn. That reminds me today I managed to place a repeat prescription order for neo clarityn. This is taken for hayfever. When I rang the receptionist said I will have to check with the doctor as you haven't had this for 6 months :)

ps Tesco now selling the generic Clarityn and Zirtec. At 99p for 7 tablets its cheaper than a prescription for a months supply.

Bossyboots

01-03-2005, 6:49 PM

We have to send/take in our written requests for repeat prescriptions 24 hours ahead of wanting them. As there is no evening surgery on Wednesday, if you take one in on Tuesday you won't get it until Thursday. We can fax them in as well.

My husband gets the doctor to put 2x ventolin on his prescription and he is then only charged one fee.

We do the same with hayfever remedies, having 3x or 4x put on the prescription to cut the cost.

I would just add, that having telephoned our surgery last week to find out whether my consultant had written to my GP, the receptionist could not have been more helpful. It wasn't clear from the computer what the position was but she went to find out and eventually came back with an answer.

Sofa_Sogood

01-03-2005, 7:01 PM

Not sure how ours works it all out.

There's a presciption left at the chemist for a month's supply of one tablet, but it has to be dispensed one week at a time. Not saving anything this way because it means other half has to drive about 10 miles each way to collect it :confused:

I should really sort that one out if I want to save money :D

Poppy9

01-03-2005, 8:54 PM

My doctors only prescribe 1 months supply at a time. Therefore during hayfever season I have to have a new prescription every month which costs me £10 for 2 items. If I buy the Tesco generic hayfever tablets I will save £1 er month so thats £5 for the whole season. You can collect the month supply all in one go. I have to say if I was on regular medication I would complain to the practice manager about having to collect weekly. I think I should be allowed 2 months hayfever medication at a time to save the ringing etc. but I suppose they have to have a general guideline to make it easier as I am sure that some people might accidently lose some of their medication or even god forbid sell it.

jeryth

01-03-2005, 8:57 PM

Maybe there's a delivery service from your local pharmacy?

After my interview for Medical Receptionist last week, I now know that each surgery decides on its own policy of making appointments and processing repeat prescriptions. And what can we do? Either go with the flow, or change surgery, or just play the old game "Aint' It Awful".

Savvy_Sue

01-03-2005, 11:00 PM

We can't phone in for prescriptions either, and I've never asked if we can fax a request in! But we do get a sheet with all our regulars on so we can just tick what's needed next time and pop it back into the surgery. But we have to give 48 hours notice, which can be tricky.

I suppose not allowing phoned requests for prescriptions cuts down on the pressure on receptionists, and since we're all moaning about how hard it can be to phone the surgery that's got to be a good thing. ;) There must also be issues of accuracy etc if we phone in: we've already heard that we don't all know who we are and where we live, so I doubt we can be trusted to know what our prescription should be. :D