To not really want to tell the drs receptionist why I want an appointment.

[NoTeaForMe]

I need to go to the OOHs surgery this evening. When you go you have to fill in a form to say why you're there. If I just put 'personal' is that ok? Or do they actually need to know to assess how quickly I'll be seen?

It is a personal problem by the way, I'm not just making that up!

suspected abcess

posted too soon. you'll get asked if its a dental one.

been there many times while pregnant hope it gets sorted soon

personal pregnancy related Will be fine, don't mention cysts or mumsnet or any kind of outside help or Doctor will start harping on about 'one person out of www and you thought bla bla bla bla bla' mines does this...

Hope it goes okay, please erm... no I am not at all interested in whether you have one honest. [liar]

NoTeaForMe If it helps I said pulled muscle

Thanks all, should be on my way in around 10 mins, am not looking forward to it! NotWanking don't worry I'll update you, prob on the original thread in chat! How lovely!

In general, YABU and precious. Receptionists have heard it all before and worse/weirder. They ask because it's helpful to know, so in general one does oneself no favours by being coy. Asking about their medical qualifications is fucking rude.

In the particular case of the OP, I think a little prevarication is understandable, and the suggested vague ideas are useful. "Gynaecological issue" might work too. I agree with everyone that mentioning the pgy is important.

Hope it turns out to be nothing.

"Hurty minge" had me roaring with laughter.

I work as a receptionist and really, we ask questions to get you seen by the appropriate person. The comment about going to medical school is just fucking rude.

Horatio I was never intending to be rude...another poster put about asking for qualifications etc, that was not me. When I have benn here in the past I have put a reason/brief description but I didn't feel like writing down today's issue. If that makes me precious then so be it!

I'm in the waiting room now, I wrote 'personal pregnancy related issue'...

SOME (a very few) receptionists are incredibly rude in brusquely demanding to know fairly detailed symptoms, and being very eye-rolley and "overly assertive" if you refuse to say more...and in those cases IMO it's not rude to refuse to tell them and pointedly ask why they are in a position to assess your condition. I've once encountered this and complained to the practice manager.

IMO it's not rude to refuse to tell the receptionist anything, but not that helpful either.

NoTea, that was in my "in general" section. People in general seem to think they're so witty and clever when actually they aren't doing themselves any favours.

I used to cover phones at busy times and lunchtimes at my old job. Someone would ring up wanting a specialist lawyer but not knowing any names, so I'd ask for more detail. Some wankers people got snotty, but honestly there's no point putting you through to a chemist if your query is about trade marks.