Receptionist attitude should I complain

Do something about it.

Probably - but certainly well deserved 🤪

Why did you feel the need to share your daft decisions with us? I don’t care - in fact, I’m quite pleased that by striking yourself off the waiting list someone who was below you will now move up the list.

I’m certain your GP surgery will be happy to hear that you call the staff that work there ‘neo Nazis’. Your name calling speaks volumes about you!

Really?

I’ve encountered both ends of this spectrum. I’ve met some utter horrors who derive obvious joy from having the power to ban patients for looking at them the wrong way. They are classic examples of what happens when you give not very nice people a bit of power. On the other hand, I have literally had my life saved by a receptionist who took my part with a doctor and wouldn’t back down. And that’s not hyperbole. If not for her I would have died. Sadly I find there are more of the former than the latter these days.

OP, if you’re going to complain, do so in writing, be clear, keep to the facts. Refuse to engage in any way on the subject except in writing; you don’t want them saying you said something you didn’t in order to get rid of you as ‘troublesome’. If enough people complain it will, eventually, become unignorable. Not everyone can do every job, and she’s clearly got no business being in healthcare in any capacity. Total bully.

Ask for a copy of their complaints procedure, then follow the process with your complaint.

it would help to know what the actual issue was specifically but yes, report the unpleasant attitude of the receptionist to patients to the practice manager.

Yes report it to practice manager, it's not acceptable behaviour whatever the circumstances. If she wanted a heated discussion she should have taken them somewhere more private.
I once reported a staff member being rollocked in front of a large queue, at a local branch of a major card shop chain. Head office were very concerned and said they would send area manager to deal with it

The issue or the fine details are not the problem here. It's the attitude of the receptionist towards two people who did not deserve to be treated so appallingly. There is never an excuse to belittle anyone when you deal with the public. If the receptionist couldn't handle the situation then she should have called for her manager and removed herself from the situation.

These things can wear a person down.

Of course they did… the classic ‘and then everybody clapped’ meme

I never see a problem with someone giving an honest account of what they've witnessed, if they think it wasn't right. If it was a misunderstanding on your part, the receptionist can explain that, but if it's the latest in a pattern of negative behaviour, you may help to highlight that and encourage a change.

Some people don't have the right temperament to deal with the public, especially in a medical setting. They belong in a different job where personality and attitude aren't as important.

If it really bothered you I would email the practice manager. Receptionists expect us to speak politely to them, the least they can do is offer us the same courtesy.

Ah, but that’s just the thing, isn’t it? The gatekeeping power they have means that they can apply standards of civility to the rest of us that they don’t feel obliged to meet themselves. They can provoke and intimidate all day, and if someone calmly asks that they engage with them with mutual respect they’re free to call it obstruction and refuse access to treatment. Some of them choose to use that power responsibly. The majority use it to make themselves feel better about whatever powerlessness they’re experiencing in other areas of their own lives.

Why do you care? Or.. is it less of you caring and more of you wanting to lord it over someone to make you feel better in your life?

It’s not uncommon for some receptionists especially doctors receptionists to be exceptionally rude. You could complain to the surgery or alternatively laugh about it by watching Sandie Cameron on Instagram ‘Receptionists in 2026’ which relates to this very topic 😁

I had a bad experience with a GP receptionist about 20 years ago! I was early 20 ‘s too. I did complain, the practise manager called me back and belittled me and demoralised me even more ‘protecting’ her staff rather than apologise or try to find a way forward. It was horrific. Never used the NHS since..in my 40’s now had kids too all done privately, even vaccinations done at their paediatrician. I just don’t think I would ever get over how I was made to feel when I asked for help and the follow up call from the manager just put me right off.

Ah, so it was just to lord it over. Well, am so glad that you now feel big. Bravo.

I would complain and no, you’re not a coward at all. You’re an empathetic person who was shocked at hearing someone being spoken to like that. It doesn’t matter not reacting in the moment. Consider a well written complaint and don’t back down. Patients shouldn’t be spoken to like that.

I don't understand why anyone things ridiculing someone makes them look good it just makes them look mean.

Absolutely complain they have a difficult job but that's still doesn’t give them the right belittle anyone.

Last week I had a blood test booked I got the time wrong and was 7 minutes late I was upset and the receptionist just said you're not late and booked me in with a giggle. Thankfully the nurse was running late and I got seen. There was no ridiculing.

Report report report

I’ve taken to google reviewing people like her. I came across a woman like her at the Science Museum a couple of weeks back … she was so horrible and absolutely should not be working with the public. She looked at everyone like she hated them 🙁 raised her voice, spoke down to everyone. if the opportunity arises I place one of my carefully designed and printed stickers about their person … 🤭