Doctor's receptionists!

Poppy9

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

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

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.

Sofa_Sogood

Thanks.

I haven't been to the chemist for long enough, but I'm sure there's a delivery service available. Not sure if it's free though. I'll get on to them tomorrow.

(Which translates as "I'll ask other half to get on to it tomorrow" )

smashee72

By law, in Scotland anyway, the surgery has to keep a certain amount of appointments free every day for emergencies ....these are usually taken up very quickly but I would certainly complain in writing . . . i think some receptionists certainly get off on power trips, and are in dire need of some customer service training....of course, some go out of their way to be curteous and do their job but most people I know, have experienced at least one fiery dragon at the docs lol

gwen80

That's an awful story OP, you should complain. I hate doctor's receptionists...

The other week I had an appointment with my GP, went to it, but had forgotten a letter from my private consultant. I'd remembered what she'd written (it was requesting a new prescription for me) and told him. He issued it, but said he shouldn't have really and could I bring in the letter asap. I said Yes, I'd go home, pick it up and bring it in straight away. So I go back in with the letter, saying 'I forgot to bring this in for my appointment with Dr...could you give it to him please?' She took it from me, proceeded to open it, read it and then smirk at me, saying she'd give it to him :mad: There was no need for her to read it. It's not up to her whether he gets it or not. Argh!!

My Mum tried to get an appointment a couple of months ago. The receptionist quizzed her on what was wrong with her (long standing cough, sinus and ear pain). She got a nurse to ring up my Mum, who asked her what her symptoms were and confirmed that yes, she needed to see a doctor.

Both me and my Mum have also been asked personal questions, very loudly, on numerous occasions in the middle of a packed waiting room.

They lost a sample of mine and never let me know until I rang up to try and get the results. I also hate being given test results by a receptionist. They aren't qualified! I rang up one time to get blood test results to be told they were all normal. What do you do then? They can't advise you. Then I saw my GP about a year later and he said that while the test results were normal, one was only just within range and perhaps something should be done about that :mad:

I'm sure there's more, but I can't remember at the moment. Not all of them, but most of them are incredibly nosey, indiscreet and have a false sense of their own importance.

Gwenx

jenniewb

louise1234 wrote: »

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??

Theres one receptionist who is like that at my surgery- always used to grill me when I asked for an appointment, but I think someone must have complained to the manager as she no longer asks anymore. I'd complain if I were you- your right, someone with no medical qualification saying this to you is out of order.

I'd also say "well I'll just take your name so when I go to a&e I can explain why my doctor is not able to treat me/the name of the person who has refused to let me see my GP."

Then make sure you mention it to both your GP and practice manager

skintdragon

I have had unsavoury experiences with GP receptionists... one was giving me results of a test over the reception desk (which left me extremely upset, not the right time or place), and one which went like this:

me: I am here for my appointment with the nurse please for (insert time here).
receptionist: What's it regarding (bearing in mind this info was already disclosed at time of making appt)?
me: It's for a SMEAR!!!

The waiting room was full of folk.

Privacy indeed.

welshdent

My gp practice is a nightmare. They will not allow you to book any appointments in advance. The only way to get in is to start ringing from 8 am and hope to get one sorted. Usually the wait to be answered is in the region of 40 minutes of engaged/ringing. I needed a referral to a spire hospital after tearing my knee meniscus. I didnt need an emergency appointment as I just wanted the letter done. They flatly refused to accomodate me unless I did the 8 am thing. In the end I went to a private GP clinic ... which incidentally turned out to be only slightly more expensive than my regular GP would have been who was going to charge about £50 or so to do a referral letter for me. If I treated my patients like this I would never get any coming back! Also I have never charged anyone for a referral letter and that includes private referrals

Nile

gwen80 wrote: »

That's an awful story OP, you should complain. I hate doctor's receptionists...

In case anyone else hasn't noticed, this thread is an old thread which has been bumped. As it's 5 years old............the OP probably complained a long time ago.;)

Regards

Nile