To tell you that some doctors' receptionists are really great

[manchestermummy]

No, really they are.

Took DD2 (18mo) to the GP yesterday - she's been a bit off-colour for a few days and had a temperature. She had a huge febrile convulsion last month, so I am a little paranoid about things like that.

Booked to see a locum. Fine. He kept us waiting 25 minutes, by which time DD2 was hysterical. Tuts and stares from other patients; I was nearly in tears myself and stood in the middle of the waiting room apologising to everyone. No apology or introduction from the locum. Couldn't find tongue depressors to check her throat, couldn't work the ear thermometre. Two-second listen of her chest. Then, when he decided that she had an ear infection, took 10 minutes to try to print out a prescription. When I asked if someone else could do it, he admitted defeat and wrote one out. Told me to give her 1.25ml via a syringe. When I said I really struggled with them, told me 5ml via a spoon. I asked how many days and for how long - he pointed at the prescription and told me it said it there: he'd used some sort of shorthand so I had no clue.

When we finally got out of the room, I marched over to the receptionist and told her what had happened. She was appalled - she'd seen how distressed DD2 had been - and went straight to the senior GP in the practice, leaving the desk having found cover so she could deal with it. We had to wait again, but the senior GP saw us, re-assessed DD2, and although he concurred with what the locum had said, took the complaint seriously.

The same receptionist, when I had a bleed while pregnant with DD2, did everythnig she could to get me a referral to the EPAU, even though there were no appointments available at the time.

I have sent in a comment praising what she did for us yesterday.

I am so grateful for the way in which she dealt with the situation, that I just want everyone to know that although there are some dragons out there, there are some true gems!

That's really lovely of your GP receptionist. I popped in to the GP's surgery to get DS2 weighed once as I was passing. It was just after the end of clinic but quite often the HV will still have people to see and I only needed to use the scales which would be in the waiting room until HV had finished seeing everyone. When I got there a locum HV was just packing away so I said don't worry, I'll come back next week. The receptionist said to the HV didn't she realise I'd come a long way on the bus with 2 children, one with SN and demanded she get out the scales and let me use them.

The receptionist was quite mean and jobsworthy when I had my miscarriage but since having PND with DS1 and DS2 having SN I have been to the dr surgery a lot so now she knows me better she is a lot more friendly.

We have lovely receptionists at our surgery now and in spite of the crap appointment system they are as helpful as they possibly can be. I think receptionists were notorious for thinking they were in charge but now they seem a lot more friendly and professional.

It hasn't always been like that there though, my dad was seriously ill (he was in his early 20's) and my mum took him to the GP who said he had flu and sent him home, within a few hours he was hallucinating and didn't recognise anyone. My mum called the surgery and the receptionist told her she would not pass an urgent message onto the GP as she had already been given a diagnosis. My mum said she would call an ambulance but the receptionist said she was being ridiculous, my mum at 20 believed her!

Eventually my Auntie stormed round there as dad was getting worse and demanded to see a doctor who immediately went round to see my dad once he heard the systems. He called an ambulance immediately and by the time they arrived my dad was unconscious - he had the most severe form of menegitus and nearly died!

I know this is kind of a sequence of events but the receptionist was so sure she knew what she was talking about with regards to a medical issue it made my mum feel like she was over reacting etc!

Yep our surgery, gps and receptionists absolutely wonderful, kind, helpful and much needed kick up the arse to our local hospital lately.

My new surgeries receptionists are lovely too. I moved here at 32w pregnant, it's a whole new PCT, and they were so kind and took time explaining how everything worked here and bumping around appts to make sure I saw the mw at the right time. I also think they had a bit of a go at the mw's when I couldn't see anyone from 36-39w due to crap mw holidays, I rang saying I was worried (bit pfb, but thought I ought to have at least had my blood pressure taken during that time) and within half an hour they had arranged for a mw to come and do a quick home visit. They're also wonderful arranging appts for lo's. Compared to every other surgery I've been at they are fab.

I have found receptionists reasonable on the whole Best to have a laugh with them And remember its doctors who make the rules.