to not want to give symptoms to GP receptionist?

[vintageteacups]

So I called the GP surgery this morning and, as like the last time I rang, the first thing the receptionist said when I asked to book a doc's appoinment for dd (9) was:

"what seems to be the problem? We have a nurse's clinic this afternoon"

I calmly said that I would like a doctor's appointment and didn't tell her the symptoms.

What on earth? We pay our taxes and it's our right to take dd to see the gp, yet this cold fish of a woman just went "right, Dr .... at 11:50 then", took the name and address and put down the phone.

As has happened before, I felt really guilty about taking DD and felt as though I was wasting their time (even though I hadn't said what was wrong wtih dd).

Surely they can sift out the ones who turn up every monday morning with a spot on their finger and another runny nose (however, it's surely their right to book an appointment if they want) compared to me who has taken dd and ds probably twice each in 2 years. I have been once in 2 years!

They have a comments sheet - was thinking about extending it into a letter.
The receptionists have a really bad reputation for being grumpy and unhelpful.

She didn't want to dole out free medical advice Lady She was trying to get you an appointment with the person who was best placed to help you with your specific problem. This comes under her duties headed "booking appointments". I'm not sure why this is hard to understand?

Fairydoll a sore finger, dislocated or not, would most likely be advised to go straight to A&E/minor injuries. A GP does not have an X-ray machine in his/her office so would be of no help whatsoever.

I'm sure you can read.

But I asked to see a doctor.

Why would she feel the need to investigate my medical matters and seeing if a nurse "would do". If I wanted to see a nurse, I'd ring up and ask for an appointment with a nurse. It isn't up to her to delegate medics, thankfully. Her job is to give me an appointment with a doctor, when I ring up and request one.

There is also the other flip 'Oh I'm not that bad I'll have an appointment in a fortnight' when on telling receptionist one was sent an ambulance, one was sent a GP urgent home visit and another an urgent GP appointment for that day.

Patient one was pots op (gyane) had a swollen, red and hot leg and breathlessness (PE) that would not have been good waiting a fortnight as in the that might be when the funeral is.

Patient 2 felt they needed an asthma review when in fact the were so wheezy they needed nebulised by the GP, commenced on oral steroids and antibiotics.

Patient 3 was running to the toilet, pain on urination, lower back pain, pyrexial and was in rigors.

Her job is to ask whatever questions the doctors/manager asks her to ask, I'm sure she doesn't like having to ask people like you questions so hey can speak to her like she is a piece of crap, I'm sure shed love to give everyone an appt with a GP, would make her life easier (speaking as a dental receptionist who has to ask questions before allocating emergency appts, I dont I get fired)

But lady, there might only be one appointment. I might have a sore finger, or indigestion - you might have a nasty infection or be having trouble controlling your asthma. If I ring first and get the appointment would you not be annoyed that my bruised finger got priority over your more urgent needs? After all, we all (and I paraphrase) want to see a GP when we feel poorly.

My sore finger might be best served by a nurses appt, freeing up the GP to prevent your health issue turning into a crisis.

Er yes because usually they don't see my explanation above. I am not saying they are not well trained though. Its just if we are going to be pedantic about qualifiacations then we should at least be entirely accurate.

Yet if you don't answer she gives you an appointment anyway...leading to the conclusion that it wasn't vital for her to know in the first place.

Let's be entirely accurate.

Nurses don't have a phd and are not doctors.

Receptionists are not trained medics.

Is that accurate enough?

I think that people who are genuinely ill tend to know if they need a doctor.

Secondly, I think people who take the pee when it comes to asking for a GP app and don't need it, would think better of it in future if, on seeing the doctor, he or she gave the patient the reason why they have a nurse.

However, how an untrained receptionist can possibly diagnose the need for a GP app is beyond me. As fairydoll says, something that sounds unimportant could actually be more important than the thing she sent you to the GP for.

But if you do answer then you can get an urgent appointment (as was the case with my DS1, rang at half eight in the morning, in the chair by 9am)

I didn't answer and got an appointment within 40 minutes merely because my child is under 5.

Oh I do. I make it quite clear that I'm not impressed with a receptionist attempting to diagnose patients over the phone. I, in fact, write a letter of complaint every time.

If you dont answer you get the appt anyway ahead of people who might need it more, because you are selfish and arrogant imo

Well as long as I'm paying for the GP to be sat there, I shall use him when my son is unwell.

I rarely, rarely see the GP...but for my son, I will not be fobbed off seeing anybody but a doctor; and if you don't like that, then it's just unfortunate for you.

Every time? I can assure you they will roll their eyes and say 'oh not her again'. Anyway, what are your qualifications in running a medical practice?

None. Just like a receptionists.

Yes, EVERY time. In fact in coming on 15 months, my son has seen a GP twice.

Sorry to break this to you Lady, but the vast majority of doctors also don't have a PhD in medicine.
My degree is Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery. I also have postgraduate qualifications, but none of them is PhD level.

That's nice, if your sons minor illness takes an appt away from someone who needs it more.

Smiley, are you a doctor?

And if a nurse has the same BA, is she/he a doctor?

Wel I can assure you, the doctors will set the basic triage rules, since they can't see everyone. So by refusing to answer you are not somehow stepping over the receptionist but also over the doctors.

Lady - the OP has just dug herself out of the "snobby cow" mire - don't align yourself with her - it makes her look bad

GPs don't have a doctorate in medicine.

Fanjo- and yet I still get an appointment, so I can't see how it is relevant.