to wish the GP receptionists could manage to be civil

[emeraldgirl1]

I don't even ask for polite, or cheerful, though both would be nice.

Unfailingly they are snotty, difficult and generally behave as if dealing with patients is the most hideous task in the world.

I wouldn't moan except that I am never anything other than extremely polite (to the point of cravenness) and in addition the only thing I am ever asking them for is an appointment! I am not asking them for anything special! I accept humbly and politely that I can't see a doctor at any time vaguely convenient to me and am only ever politely and cheerfully asking them to locate the next available appointment. They ALL do it. I can only assume they must get some very difficult and angry patients and they feel the need to be on red alert? But I still don't think that has to translate to making an entirely reasonable patient feel like a latent criminal every time I call.

I am pregnant, so am ending up calling for more appointments (jabs etc) than usual. Dread it every time now.

Am sure there are many lovely receptionists out there but my surgery has hired all the stroppy and bitchy ones :(

I have the utmost respect for the receptionists at our surgery. They are lovely, and so helpful. My only gripe is that it's really hard to get through to the surgery sometimes - the phone is often permanently engaged and it's often quicker to get in the car and drive up there to talk to them in person.

Where do you live? I am in Surrey and mine are awful. Perhaps it's a job requirement country-wide.

There's one in particular, with thick, corn-coloured curls, who seems to permanently have a cold and be exasperated. She's always ruddy faced and snivelly. You go to her window and say, I dunno, 'Have my test results come back?' and she'll look at you like you've asked her to swallow broken glass, not actually do her fucking job.

I have had this building for some time, and now your post has opened the vent.

They ALL do it
no they don't - my gp's receptionists are all delightful - even when faced with abusive awful patients they are charming.

If you would like to come with me to watch on a Monday morning at 8.30 when 50 patients pile in you will see.

Enough people putting a comment on the practice website means that eventually a trend will emerge and it will be publically available - gives feedback but also tells potential new patients what the practice is like so they can make an informed decision. I discovered I wasn't the only person saying the same thing about one of the GP's being a tad... er... 'impatient' with patients. It really will work if enough people do it, good and bad comments alike. A big serious issue, yes, write in or go to PALS as it might need to go further, but general attitudes of staff, just rate the practice ... have a look on your GO surgery website!

Fat fingers, not GO but GP surgery website. All part of Govt drive to improve services, including communication skills.

And our receptionsists are really first class, and the actual service is also OK, just delivered in a less warm and friendly manner than it could be.... which may put some people off going until the last minute... which couuld make things worse.

Tbh the receptionist is a cow and they way she asks makes you feel like you have got to justify your need for an appointment. And they way she looks at people over the reception desk!!!! I dont speak to the others like that just her she really is a bitch. The other receptionist is lovely.