GP displaying family photos, children's pictures dedicated to 'daddy' or 'mummy'

Must be a wind up.

This

where does it end?

should the gp not wear a wedding or engagement ring, in case someone visiting has recently lost their partner or had a marriage break up?

what if the GP is pregnant, should she not be allowed to come to work at all once she starts showing?

What if she mentions "if this doesn't work ring for a follow up appointment, but I'll be on maternity leave from next week so I'll put a note on for my colleague to explain what we've discussed." Is that insensitive rather than trying to be helpful?

Lots of professionals have their degree cert displayed, would that not be traumatising for someone who dropped out of uni or who has lost their job?

What if the GP has shaved hair because she's recovering from chemo and the patient is getting referred for a cancer scare/being given bad news?

Then you've got things like wearing a cross or star or headscarf. Could potentially be upsetting.

Are staff members chatting and laughing with each other, or saying 'Good morning, lovely day!' being potentially insensitive if someone has depression?

Ultimately, if your friend is so sensitive (and I'm trying to be sympathetic because fertility issues can feel all encompassing) that a few photos cause her that much distress, how is she managing to go out and about and live a normal life without breaking down in tears every time she sees parents and children interacting?

Why ? The GP doesn’t just treat infertility and miscarriage. Where do you draw the line ? I’m so sorry for your loss, but the rest of the world isn’t responsible for shielding you from things that may trigger the sense of grief at that loss.

It’s about context and environment
I’ve also worked in settings were furniture & chair & table were fixed to floor. Nothing that could be thrown or used as a weapon . No personalisation.In those settings it’s risk management and appropriate to environment.

GP surgery isn’t a blank slate and it’s not a secure setting and it is made
personal by staff

Are you okay 😂

And what if her doctor was pregnant? The real world is full of pregnant women and babies and frankly people proud of their families.

But that’s not the fault of the GP and their office is their personal workspace. Are we really at the stage of over sensitivity where we insist that people hide all evidence of being able to do something we can’t ? The GP isn’t rubbing this your friends’ face. Your friend is taking the fact that the GP displays photos of their own family far too personally and needs to get a grip.

Wouldn’t bother me and I miscarried my much wanted IVF pregnancy in May. But I can see why it would bother others.

Your arguement of sensitivity means that the posters on the board/wall in my (and most I'm assuming) GPs waiting room would need to go too. They have things for/about pregnancy, new parents, bereavement, counselling. Posters of happy pregnant ladies advertising services and information, an elderly couple promoting something else, a baby on another.

GPs and service providers who work in GP offices will have some incredibly awful days, meeting people at a low point. If these things help them get through the tougher times, let them be.

I’m afraid you’re being totally unreasonable? GP can have the consultation room how they wish. So long as it’s safe,clean and adhere to clinic room standards. You know what,we are staff we are also parents,siblings,aunties,and it is wholly individual choice how one work environment is.

My dentist has loads of family photos and memorabilia
My GP has lots of family photos & memorabilia too
It has no impact upon their clinical skills or they shouldn’t be expected to have a ceramic white room with no personalisation on off chance someone is offended

Your DIL needs to get serious grip. I actually feel quite angry at her complete lack of empathy and self centered thinking.

MY GP had loads of family photos and pics (which I always thought was lovely). While I was seeing him for my second miscarriage (so yeah I know what it’s like) he was the most empathetic amazing human ever and shared with me (after a lovely chat) that he was sorry and knew the pain. I asked him if his wife had had one and he said yes, she has had 14. Let that sink in - FOURTEEN. So frankly I was delighted to see pics of his kids after so much awful fertility issues. Your DIL in her selfish head and yeah I get how hard it is) has no idea the story of her GP or anyone else.

There are always going to be pregnant people and children and constant reminders but to even think her GP was being insensitive is beyond the pale.

If images of children trigger you that much, how do you cope in the real world? In the kindest way possible: the world doesn’t revolve around you/ your needs. The doctor isn’t doing this to personally upset anyone.

Lots of people display family pictures at work. It’s very normal.

I think some therapy would help here.

Even if I got upset by it due to infertility or miscarriage, I wouldn't expect the GP to take down photos of cards just in case a patient like me did get upset. There are images of kids everywhere, it's not nice in that situation but you can't expect other people to change for you.

I have had ten miscarriages. When I was a teacher I didn't think it was insensitive that the parents were flaunting their fertility.

You also have no idea whether the GP hasn't had losses.

As someone who suffers with unexplained infertility, has gone through various rounds of IVF and miscarriages I think you are being largely unreasonable.
although it’s awful what myself and many others go through it absolutely never takes away from other people and their family lives and experiences

Yes, but this is more than that. OP's trying to decide that the GP shouldn't be allowed to have family photos displayed. You can be sensitive all you like, but you can't control other people.

Seems a very odd thing to comment about or even think about. I never feel resentment to others because they can have something I can’t, be that a child, husband, nice holiday or a nice house. It’s ok to be happy for others and not feel resentment?

Since you don’t know the gps fertility story you are being very judgey OP. They might have had miscarriages and false alarms until achieving their successful pregnancies. It could be that they have a positive story to tell to women
who are struggling.

I suffered from infertility for 10.5 years including various IVF cycles. I know how hard it is but,in the kindest way, I think you are being too sensitive. There is not a finite supply of babies ie that someone having theirs does not reduce your chance of having yours. I would be more than pleased to have a GP who.obviously valued children and families by having phots of his in his surgery. The photos probably also help offset a little the stress of his job.

This is what I'm thinking, honestly. I'm in a wheelchair. I can't live life being upset at all the walking people. It's life, and sometimes it's painful and difficult. But we still have to live it.

Having lost a child I think this is insensitive

Erm, it's not a fertility specialist/fertility clinic? Sorry OP, this is totally unreasonable. People go to GPs with all sorts of reasons. Anything might trigger someone. Someone with a chronic illness who can't travel could be triggered by seeing holiday photos. And a whole host of other things.

No I’m completely in agreement with you (see my earlier posts). I just wondered how this played out in real life, as it were, and if it is actually a practical issue for pregnant GPs.

I can see YPOV OP. Professional environments (and I work in NHS) should be void of personal photos/pictures in patient areas