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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be irritated by this phone call from the GP?

43 replies

BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 12:17

I was just getting comfy with a cup of coffee, blanket on the couch and puppy cuddled into just so, when the landline rang, and 'Sharon' from the doctors' surgery told me that the GP wanted to know if I smoke...

"Why?" I asked.

"It's just for our records and he wants to know."

"Um, I would rather discuss it with him next time I'm in then. I don't really want to answer random medical questions over the phone, as I don't really know who you are, do I?"

"Ok"

Click, brrrrrrrrr.

So, was I being unreasonable? And is it normal for doctors' surgeries to ring you at home to ask you random personal questions?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 29/03/2011 12:19

How odd! I would've said the same as you.

worraliberty · 29/03/2011 12:20

Yes my Docs did that.

Basically they wanted to know how many smokers they had on their books so they could contact them about a giving up smoking group they were starting, that's all.

My Husband had a Doc's appointment a few days before they rang here and he said they asked him there and then. It's just a yes or a no they are after.

FourFortyFour · 29/03/2011 12:20

YWNBU.

Do you smoke?

onepieceoflollipop · 29/03/2011 12:22

How odd. However if you really want to check then ring surgery back and ask for "Sharon".

I work for the NHS and our patients currently are being asked to fill in what type of housing they live in and other stuff like that (employment status and so on)

If we don't tick certain boxes then our scary admin person sends a scary e-mail to our manager and we have our bottoms smacked have to redo it all again. :)

We are meant to ask about smoking too but that isn't one of the naughty ones to miss in our area. Perhaps it is for your GP?

onepieceoflollipop · 29/03/2011 12:22

Yes, do you smoke? Promise we won't tell Sharon Grin

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 12:22

Hehe, bog off with your personal questions, 444.

They kept sending me letters to go in for a check-up a while ago too. Why do I have to have a check-up if I don't want one? If I wanted to be told I was overweight and shouldn't drink so much, I'd visit my mother.

OP posts:
FourFortyFour · 29/03/2011 12:25

I only asked if you felt miffed because you do smoke and know it isn't good for you Smile.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 29/03/2011 12:26

You could have replied 'only crack' when she asked if you smoked. Or, asked if skunk was available on script.

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 12:28

I like the "only crack" one, very good Grin

I never feel bad about any of my vices, 444. Except maybe the spanking. Nah, I'm ok with that too.

OP posts:
Blu · 29/03/2011 12:29

They asked a q pertinent to your health, you used your personal freedom of choice to decline to answer over the phone, what's the big deal?

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 12:31

No big deal, Blu, just shootin' the breeze....

OP posts:
Hammy02 · 29/03/2011 12:33

It seems odd to be asked for a check-up? I've never had a request to go in to the doc's. Apart from for the periodical smear.

mrsscoob · 29/03/2011 12:35

YANBU I would be annoyed too, its personal, if you smoke and want to give up then it should be up to you to contact them for help, not the other way round

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 12:35

Yes, two letters they sent me. I just ignored them. It all feels a bit overbearing and nosey to me.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 29/03/2011 12:40

I get sent check up letters too because I can literally go years and years without seeing the Dr. In fact if it wasn't for having to change my coil every 5yrs they probably wouldn't remember me lol.

AllGoodNamesGone · 29/03/2011 12:48

"If I wanted to be told I was overweight and shouldn't drink so much, I'd visit my mother."

Grin

YANBU, but neither is Sharon, she's just doing her job. It'll be something to do with targets. That's where the unreasonable bit comes in IMHO!

Hullygully · 29/03/2011 12:51

smoking is bad for you, Boffy.

You are silly and naughty.

marriednotdead · 29/03/2011 13:03

YANBU at all.
I wish they'd be honest about the targets though!

We got a call from our GP's receptionist last week for DS to come for an annual check up. As he's 14 I asked why, and if this was a new thing. Was told 'it's about his learning disabilities' Hmm. I stated that I didn't understand the point but was pressured into agreeing to go in.

He's on the AS but has no learning problems at all. He overheard the exchange, was fuming, and told the GP when we went that he was sick of being treated like a moron by HCP who assumed everyone (who was not NT) was the same. I was actually proud of him for expressing himself so eloquently, and the GP apologised.

All it was was lots of online box ticking, and a blood pressure and weight/height check.

Yup, targets. DS has stated that he refuses to go if they ask again next year.

chubbleigh · 29/03/2011 14:36

Well, I am a 'Sharon' in that ringing people up and asking them question about their (children's) health is part of my job.

I think 'Sharon' was ill prepared in that she could of rang up and got the information she wanted if only she had approached matters in a different way, used different language and better explanations.

So was it the actual question or the manner that annoyed you?

It likely is in relation to targets, please consider responding, these things can lead to money being made available for some very useful services you might want to use yourself in the future.

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 14:39

It was the sheer nosiness, chubbliegh. I don't want 'services' or nagging letters, I just want to be able to get an appointment when I need one.

OP posts:
lazarusb · 29/03/2011 14:40

I had a letter from the GP and then was spoken to by the Nurse at the surgery - during a smear- because I am over 35 and they wanted to check cholesterol /weight etc. I declined politely and she got really stroppy with me Grin I pointed out that I rarely need the GP, am not overweight and had a cholesterol test 18 mths ago which so low they seemed annoyed that I'd asked for it (despite family history). She tutted at me and told me that I'd only have myself to blame if something happened....

Hullygully · 29/03/2011 14:41

My dsis went to a give up smoking group. She met the most fabulous people AND got a free white sucky tampon. Didn't give up the fags though..

Original poster
BitOfFun · 29/03/2011 14:43

Free white sucky tampon, you say? I could be persuaded...

OP posts:
Blu · 29/03/2011 14:43

ah, sorry, I am used to AIBU being about mountains - even if they have molehills as their foundations Grin

YANBU - tell Shaz to Stick It!

StayFrosty · 29/03/2011 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.