Ask my anything - I’m a nhs gp receptionist

[Sunnydays999]

Thought this might help having seen the other thread !

I'm just popping by to say that though our surgery is massively overstretched (load of new houses built over the last decade or two, but no expansion of the medical provision) I have never once spoken to an unhelpful or unpleasant receptionist there. They can't always offer what I need, but they're always pleasant, and will do what they can.

I have no idea why some posters on this thread are ranting at you as if you're personally responsible for whatever has gone wrong for them at their surgery. But I'll try to redress the balance and thank you as if you were one of the ones at mine! You sound like them, anyway!

@TheCanyon Iv argued with patients that they need a home visit before - said patient brought my flowers in . We now laugh and he says he will behave !

@saraclaraSome patients Think we have more power than we do . Thankyou

Please also note Monday mornings are very busy . Fridays doctors want to go early . So ring asap

@bunhead34 why are you asking that ?

[quote Sunnydays999]@TheCanyon Iv argued with patients that they need a home visit before - said patient brought my flowers in . We now laugh and he says he will behave ![/quote]
To be fair my husband requested a house visit but the dr said I was too young for one, I sure showed them

This thread has definitely encouraged me to drop off or order something nice to the surgery.

@LaMarschallin common unfortunately

Oh I’m sorry if you haven’t had the service you need . Normally if people say they need a home visit they are very ill

@saraclara Thankyou . We really appreciate that

All during covid we are working so hard

Sorry pressed post before meant to! We are all working over time to book them in

And the gp receptionist also books all the flu jabs in . This is Why it’s so hard in winter

Have to say the receptionists at my gp surgery are absolutely brilliant.

If I want an emergency appointment I call my surgery and tell the receptionist what the problem is. Given I want seen that day I think that's entirely reasonable. I almost never go for myself but have phoned for my child a few times, told the receptionist what the problem was and had an appointment in a few hours. If I just want a routine appointment I just ask for one and generally get in within 2 weeks. Recently they started asking could I tell them briefly what it was for to make sure it goes to the correct person. Last time I went was for a breast lump and I was happy to say that. It helps the doctor triage if they run out of on the day appointments or if in fact your issue needs another medical professional like optician, pharmacist or even present direct to a+e. Often reception staff are trained in this so it saves the person and the surgery time. For example in Scotland pharmacists can prescribe and give antibiotics for simple urine infections. They aren't being nosy. They are bound by the same confidentiality clauses everyone in the NHS is.

@Tigger001 in relation to speaking to to the doctor - each surgery is different what they expect of reception. But do e minimum wage most wouldn’t take that responsibility. We are going as we are told

Why ask if you don't know what to do with information you are given, seems ridiculous and looses credit for the receptionists.

I told her where my steroid was to be administered and the strength, she booked me an appointment then the doctor said he couldn't administer it there or at that strength - just seems such a ridiculous waste of everyone's time for the precious appointments.

Do the doctors not have a quick review of the appointments to stop these wasted appointments happening?

@Cheesybiscuits01 Thankyou

@Tigger001 no they don’t . I’m not sure why or of this is a possibility- but no

@Whoopsmahoot good I’m glad most are great

Would you ever refuse a gestational diabetic their insulin prescription? If they took a lot of insulin.

Our gp receptionist refused to call an ambulance or go inside and get help for someone having a suspected heart attack... no joke, literally refused to go inside the surgery and call for help. This was during the first lockdown. Disgusting

@seepingweeping I wouldn’t deal with it , put you on the gp call list

@fannyFERNACKERPANN was the patient outside the surgery?

@seepingweeping we put the scrips to the gp- nothing else we can do

Sorry, havent rttt totally.

Just wanted to say that I have never had a bad experience with a doctor's receptionist and thankyou for your work.

I totally understand why you have to ask what the problem is, and appreciate you directing me to doctor/ nurse/ nurse practitioner as needed. More appointments for all then.

[quote Sunnydays999]@fannyFERNACKERPANN was the patient outside the surgery?[/quote]
Yes