Doctor's receptionists!

Jeryth

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

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

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

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

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?

frizz_head

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

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

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?

Lillibet_2

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

Smartasss wrote:

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

mini wrote:

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!