Receptionist attitude should I complain

I would complain to the practice manager. There's no guarantee that they won't side with the member of staff,but it's worth a try and at least they've been made aware of it, especially if there is another complaint about the same member of staff.

One is inclined to think that if they tried to be even vaguely competent and/or helpful they might not be "abused". (And what they class as abuse is probably simply people who are ill or in pain expressing their anxiety or frustration.)

This is a thread about calling out belittling behaviour when you see it. I imagine that's why they care.

I too would quit a waiting list if I'd already complained to PALS and was being victimised for it. At a certain point you can no longer trust people with your care. There's nothing silly about going elsewhere for treatment and there was no reason for you to jump in and be a cow when someone is sharing a story of how they've been made to feel vulnerable. Wind your neck in.

I think you should say something BUT I don't think anything will come from it.

Many years ago, there was a locum in my local GP clinic who was awful to me. My child was very young and I went because I was worried about something or other to do with the baby. He gave me a very short reply and I asked another question. He put up his hand and said I could only ask one question per appointment. It was a private practice and I could not pay to go back the following day with the second question. When I was paying the receptionist for the visit, I told her how what the locum had said and the receptionist, for some reason, rudely told me that was the policy and I was lucky to have seen him at all.

I never returned to that clinic. The GP rang me a few months later, after receiving a request to forward my files to my new GP. I told him what had happened including how the receptionist had spoken to me. He told me he'd prefer not to discuss the receptionist's manners with me. No wonder they treated patients so poorly when their employer did the same.

There’s always one!

QED

@DestituteDesperate what did the receptionist actually say that sounded like a bollocking?

I mean, how can you give a bollocking to people who are asking for blood tests? I don’t get it. I believe you - I’m just curious to know how it actually happened.

I thought the GP talked to me in an extraordinary way last time. I avoid doctors. I’ve thought about complaining, but I can’t face it.

Thats there good side wait till they get home to their kids and OH

That is not the saying.

We're lucky. The receptionists at our surgery are lovely.

And that's how bullying cultures thrive
.. this turning a blind eye lark

Why do you think this?

If this behaviour is never challenged, it will never be stopped.

The receptionists are hired by the practise as “the public face” surely?
There is absolutely no need for “ attitude” from them ( or patients for that matter)

They are not “the boss” of the situation, although some of them seem to think so.
I am saddened by people’s behaviour recently.

Yes. You're obviously a good person, who is literate and capable. Lots of the patients will have severe disabilities/learning differences/difficulties with speaking English.
You could literally save their lives. We used to mind our own business if we heard kids being abused, but we know better now.

Why do you care?

You cant help if you ve had a bad experience. Best not saying anything. Normally i assert myself and speak boldy not timidly. So its about learning from this situation.
Phone her up as if to make an appointment and talk assertively when shes working.

Have you heard that saying that is ‘ if you meet one dickhead then you’ve met an dickhead but if everyone you meet is a dickhead then you’re the dickhead?

Please report, doctors receptionists can be very challenging. I remember having to fight with one for an appointment for my elderly father when he had a stroke. I am sure they dont always see the best side of the public - but there is never an excuse for being rude.

Well obviously she will do it to more patients so it all depends how much you really care.

There must be a Doctors receptionist that isn’t a complete Dickhead but I am yet to meet one.

@DecisionTime123 As a GP receptionist this story makes my blood run cold. I will bend over backwards to try and get late patients seen and if it was a baby there is no way I would back down to an arrogant GP (yes we get both barrels from the Drs sometimes for sticking our necks out) who was refusing to see. I would take that to the admin or practice manager if it happened to me. We would never turn a poorly baby away. I’m so sorry that happened to you and to everyone who has been spoken to like crap at a GP practice. It simply shouldn’t happen.

Well that was a bit patronising of you wasn't it dear?

I would complain in writing to the practice manager.
it’s hard to do something in the moment, sometimes it doesn’t feel safe to do so. But you can certainly make a difference now. Complaint letters have to be answered.

Take a note of the date and time this happened. If you can get the receptionists name do so, if not add a description. The practice manager will know who it is with these details. Put as much detail about what happened as you can into a letter of complaint and address this to the practice manager. Most surgeries have cctv so the practice manager may be able to rewatch the exchange. I am a GP receptionist and believe we should treat every patient with care and respect. I can’t stand receptionists like this, there is no need. We are there to help and support patients when they are sick and need help. Definitely report, I would. People like this give us fellow GP receptionists a bad name.

Well that was a bit silly of you wasn’t it?

What exactly did she say though?