WIBU to walk out of doctors surgery?

[chaosisawayoflife]

Had appointment for a smear test at 10.30. The person who was going to watch dd2 for me let me down at the last minute so I had to take her with me. Not ideal but I figured she'd be alright with a snack and toy for 10mins. After waiting for 15 mins dd was getting restless and I went to reception to ask how long it would be, I was assured I was next. At 11.15, so 45 mins after my appointment time I still hadn't been called, and apparently was still next. Dd2 was really feed up by then, and ready for her nap, so I told the receptionist (very politely) that I couldn't wait any longer and would rebook. She launched into a tirade at me, in front of the packed waiting room, about wasted appointments and the cost to the surgery, and then started going on about the importance of smear tests and how they mustn't be avoided. I was mortified. Dd was screaming by this point so I just apologised and left. WIBU to not sit there indefinitely and then take a grumpy and tired 18mo into a smear test?

Complain. Complain. complain OP. YANBU. I wish I had when the nurse was running over an hour late, no apologies for ds1s injections, he was tired and screaming when we got in her room. Her response "I don't like grumpy babies" I explained how long we had been waiting in a hot stuffy waiting room, she then called me ridiculous and said babies hapve no concept of time. I still wish I had complained about the bitch 7 years later!

YANBU, long waits for the Dr. who might be dealing with emergencies is one thing. 30 mins for a nurse doing routine stuff is unreasonable.

I'd only have an hour on the car and would also be liable to leave.

YANBU - complain.

There is no excuse for the receptionists behaviour. Complain to the Practice Manager and the PCT.

To me a 10:30 appointment is an appointment at 10:30. Not 11:15. No excuses.

If GPs want to run surgeries as businesses and claim QOF payments for treatments including smear tests , then a workable and robust appointment system is required.

YANBU. What everyone else said. How dare she speak to you that way and embarrass you in a busy place.

Let us know how you get on.

YANBU. She behaved inappropriately and breached confidentiality.

30 mins for a nurse doing routine stuff is unreasonable How do you know she was doing routine stuff? There is a whole host of things she could have been doing which could cause her to have been running late.

YANBU. Please complain, the next person in that situation may not be as assertive as you and may end up a gibbering wreck!! Do it for them.

If appointments were running 45 minutes late, then cancelling the appointment wouldn't cost the surgery anything. Surely it would just allow the nurse to catch up on later patients appointments.

Being a receptionist is a bi-atch!

I've been there, done that (not doctor's), everybody expects you to deal with it right now! And dumping all their frustration on you - you need a thick skin!

As well as the phone going non-stop no time even for a piss!

No excuse though to treat you like that!

How embarrasing. Yes, definately put in a complaint. Not for the appointment running late (she can't help that, always happens) but her attitude.

Oh, and I would get more reliable people in to watch your DD even if you have to pay for it, so that you can take time for yourself for an important appointment.

"She launched into a tirade at me, in front of the packed waiting room, about wasted appointments and the cost to the surgery"
The appointment is only 'wasted' if the GP or nurse is sitting there twiddling their thumbs and the appointment could have been reallocated to another patient and the GP/nurse occupied. This is clearly not the case here. The only person whose time was wasted was you, so she is talking out of her arse.

Definitely complain, in writing, about this receptionist. What the hell was she thinking? The breach of confidentiality is important, don't forget to mention that in your letter.

YANBU.

Rude. Unprofessional.

And if they knew when you arrived that the nurse was already running late they should have warned you straight away and offered you the chance to rebook.

I once took dd with me for a smear. The nurse was quite happy with it, said lots of people do.

YANBU, long waits for the Dr. who might be dealing with emergencies is one thing. 30 mins for a nurse doing routine stuff is unreasonable.

How patronising. Do you realise that practice nurses deal with emergencies as well? I've resuscitated patients, give nebulisers and assess people having asthma attacks, deal with people having DVTs, bleeding injuries, arrange 999 calls and admissions to hospital. Not everything we do is routine.

OP YANBU to expect the receptionist to deal with you in a respectful and confidential manner. She was well out of order.

What a miserable old crone she sounds

Does it say anywhere that she was old? Must have missed that.

Having made that off topic comment (sorry OP) I agree that her behaviour was absolutely unacceptable, particularly in terms of confidentiality, and merits a formal complaint.

Incidentally the only complaint I've ever made to our PM was about one of the GPs. She backed me completely, the GP was reprimanded, and I got a written apology from him.

YANBU.

The receptionist was very unprofessional and rude and breached your confidentiality.

It's obviously not her fault if appointments are running late - the nurse may have been dealing with an emergency - but she should be able to understand that not everyone can wait indefinitely too be seen, and have let you rebook the appointment.

Doctor's receptionists are such BITCHES! Complain and update us (please)