My doctor has described me as ‘a very pleasant lady’

[HouseyMcHouseFace]

And it made me cry.

I have to go to hospital tomorrow for an infusion and needed a letter from my doctor as it’s an urgent referral thing. She wrote the referral with my age, weight and the fact that I’m very pleasant.

I am feeling poorly and a bit down at the moment but it really made my day.

i worked as a medical secretary for a while last year and part of my job was transcribing letters to patients from the consultants. the consultant would basically talk out the whole letter from dear so and so - and most would include the phrase ‘pleasant lady.’

Why on earth would people read that this compliment made the poster's day because she's ill and feeling down and then make a point of telling her 'all letters say that'. Just, why? Can't you just let her have something that's picked her up a little? Has anyone ever heard the expression 'sometimes it's more important to be kind than to be right'?

I hope you feel better soon op, and I'm sure you are very pleasant!

Pleasant Lady is not on the standard letter template. It has to be typed individually - and believe me, most of the letters do not have that description.

'Pleasant' means exactly that. They liked you.
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With a side helping of 'and knows what a shower is for'.

[runs away]

I remember practically skipping out of the GP's office with a letter saying that I was a very pleasant young solicitor .

I've been described as 'most pleasant' by various consultants, and so has my partner. It makes me chuckle. I'm sure they mean it OP.

Hope you feel happier soon OP

I’m a doctor. Pleasant means you are pleasant! Not everyone is...

I've had this too. I just thought "mad GP"

I wonder if it is code. What's the code for bolshy - can anyone reveal?

No no no it doesn't mean bolshy!

It means he liked you. Yes it is one of their stock phrases but honestly they only use it when you have left a positive impression.

I always find it reassuring to read in a chart (am a nurse in hospital).

I am jealous OP. My letters have only ever said 'this lady'.

Clearly I need some charm lessons from you!

Oh and once the ENT consultant described me as “very entertaining”. I was pleased with that one!

My DH was described as ‘somewhat dishevelled’ on a letter to his GP, which is nothing but true...

"Chatty" means "don't expect to get a word in edgeways" but it doesn't mean it in a bad way!

It is doctor code but it just means you're a perfectly pleasant person to deal with. Definitely not that you're bolshy!

My elderly mother was described as ‘kind’.

What does that mean? Just what it says?

OP - your GP has said you are pleasant, please accept this as a compliment. I'm sure your GP would not use it about everyone. I hope all goes well tomorrow

It's not standard. I've had enough letters to know that.

IT'S NOT CODE.

If you weren't so pleasant, s/he wouldn't have mentioned it at all.

"Kind" means sweet.

Yes I’ve seen many consultant written letters and it’s not a standard comment or a code for anything other than your a pleasant person.🌺

Mine called me a 'lovely lady' on a referral letter. Made me feel old. 😪

I’m also a ‘delightful lady’ according to my orthopaedic consultant. My first thought when I read it was “I hope he’s better at knees than character judgement”. 😂

The Health Service does very much have its own code. Be happy, you are on the this patient is deserving of the best efforts and unlikely to be a problem behaviour wise list. I sincerely hope that those around you are similar, and that your hospital visit goes smoothly😄

'Bolshy' has two usual euphemisms.

One is 'articulate'. The other is 'charming'.

#1 means 'I am going to do all I can to fix this one first time, because I don't think I can deal with seeing her back here every three months giving me another bollocking'

#2 means 'She's good. And I'm scared of what happens if she doesn't get her way'.

When I used to have to review patient notes I loved coming across these, they are definitely not in all letters.