To be annoyed at GP?

[LiviaAugusta]

This is petty I know, but it's made me quite cross this morning and I'm feeling brave enough to vent here. I took DS (2.3) to the doctors this morning, and had to take newborn DD along too. We had to wait over 30 minutes to get seen, by which time DS was thoroughly bored, refusing any distraction offered and getting cat's bum face face from a few other people in the waiting room. When we finally got called in there was no apology from the GP for being kept waiting for so long, I was just told I'd have to be quick as they were running behind. We were in there for all of two minutes and I think I just felt a bit like I was causing them hassle.

I know GPs work hard and do a good job, but surely I'm not being unreasonable to expect a little courtesy, especially when they can see I've been waiting ages with two very young children? I'm in a similar line of work so know what it's like to be running behind with a full waiting room. I'd like to think however that I would always a) apologise to anyone I kept waiting and b) always try to make the client/patient feel like I was listening to them and bothered about them rather than just another face to get out of the way as quickly as possible. I didn't really expect an apology for the wait, but I did expect to be given the doctor's full attention whilst in with them.

I did think about complaining but thought it wasn't really worth it as I don't want to be labelled a trouble-maker and until now the doctors I've seen there have all been great, hence the post here. Feel free to tell me to get a grip (not too free though as I've just had to take said bored toddler to get his prescription and had to wait ages for that too so am now feeling a bit frazzled)!

I'm a practice manager and would want to know if one of my GPs had told a patient to be quick, no matter how far behind the surgery was running.

One of the most frustrating things about my job is not being told of problems like this at an early enough point to nip it in the bud.

Thanks for all your replies. Tidybush I'm in two minds whether to say something, DH thinks I should but I don't want to be marked down as a troublemaker. It really isn't the wait or lack of apology that bothers me, it was the feeling of being an inconvenience. Had I been going in for something more sensitive than just a simple problem or had it been yesterday when I was knackered and really down I think I'd have made my excuses and left rather than talk to them. As it stands I got what I needed and just need to remember not to see them in the future, it was just mentioning it to DH this evening that got me thinking again.

The thing about multiple ailments is that they could be related but the patient may not have the knowledge to understand this.

Livia if you don't want to come across as trouble maker just ask for a word with the practice manager. Tell her/him what you've said here about being concerned that someone more vulnerable may have been put off disclosing their problem and I'm sure they'll thank you for the heads up. I know I would - 'cos I'm lovely

I asked for a double appointment for my baby DS recently. "we don't do double appointments" was the response.

I am a GP and very often run late (for all the reasons given above!).... I always apologise though, to the point that yesterday everything was running to time and I found myself apologising on autopilot to someone I was seeing 3 minutes early - only realised when I clocked the slightly funny look she gave me!
Multiple ailments in one appt can be almost impossible if you want to address everything properly and thoroughly. I tend to ask people to tell me everything they're concerned about and then agree a way of prioritising with them - which may well involve coming back another day to sort out some problems.

As smiley courtesy is a two way thing should apologise and not make you feel an inconvenience sorry that happened.

But we are human

I had to wait 30 minutes past DD's appointment time this morning, which wasn't fun with a poorly 9 month old, and I cannot recall whether the Dr apologised for the delay but she definitely did give DD her full attention once we were in with her. I agree that the delay may have been unavoidable (some ailments just cannot be properly discussed in 7.5 minutes!), but to be told to be quick before you have even begun the consultation is very bad indeed!