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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about the receptionist?

34 replies

Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:23

It's actually a problem my sister has asked my advice on. Yesterday she called the doctor I arrange to have someone trim the threads of her coil as her DH had we stubbed his toe, so to speak. The receptionist advised her she didn't need to see a doctor or nurse for that and that she could do it herself. When she enquired how, thinking perhaps there must be some device she was unaware of, the receptionist replied 'well with some scissors of course'. ISBU to think she should complain about this blatantly dangerous advice?

OP posts:
idshagphilspencer · 02/02/2013 17:25
Shock
Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:25

To be clear (unlike my typing) her DH did not have his toe inside her vagina!!!

OP posts:
CunfuddledAlways · 02/02/2013 17:27

yes definately complain!! that can't be safe!!

AnnieLobeseder · 02/02/2013 17:28

I think I'd complain, yes. That can't be good advice!

CocktailQueen · 02/02/2013 17:28

Is this a wind up??

cozietoesie · 02/02/2013 17:29

Dear Goodness.

I wonder what other 'home procedures' she's been recommending.

Your Sis should complain directly.

idshagphilspencer · 02/02/2013 17:29

My thoughts cocktail

ohfunnyhoneyface · 02/02/2013 17:30

???

Did she explain clearly what she meant or spoke euphemistically? Perhaps there was a massive misunderstanding due to a mix up with what the other meant??

I shudder to think of the consequences of taking that advice...

PurpleStorm · 02/02/2013 17:30

Could the receptionist have misunderstood what your sister meant?

Because that's obviously stupid advice.

Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:32

I swear to god I wish it were a wind up. Luckily my sister is not a total idiot and obviously ignored said advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:33

I know Purplestorm but my sister doesn't think she was unclear. The children were in the background so noise could have been an issue. But I think even if it wasn't ridiculous advice, should receptionists be handing out ANY medical advice????

OP posts:
MrsHoarder · 02/02/2013 17:37

Presuming that she did get an appointment with the GP, hand a written complete directly to the doctor.

Our old GP gave the receptionist a telling-off for giving medical advice out (he overheard). Aside from if told someone is unconscious suggesting calling an ambulance they really shouldn't be giving advice.

Tee2072 · 02/02/2013 17:38

What?!?!

Yeah. No. Not gonna happen!

Definitely complain.

LineRunner · 02/02/2013 17:42

So the receptionist basically said, put some scissors up your vagina?

Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:43

No she didn't get an appt with the GP, she was advised she would be quicker to go to the local FPC. I told her to write a formal
Letter to the surgery manager, it says that calls may be recorded for training so it's possible they may have a copy of the call I guess?

OP posts:
HyvaPaiva · 02/02/2013 17:44

She definitely needs to complain.

I don't think this is a wind-up, some advice can be insanely dangerous. Off topic, perhaps, but today we had vodka delivered from Sainsbury's with the huge security clamp still attached. When we called them, customer services told us to smash the glass bottle in order to open it and free the vodka Shock

Sugarice · 02/02/2013 17:44

Really, there must be a misunderstanding.Grin.

No receptionist should be doling out advice anyway.

Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:45

Essentially yes. Personally I can only assume she was confused about what my sister meant but my sis doesn't see how. Imagine if she had done it? Her next call would have been 999 'Erm I appear to have chopped up my cervix with the pinking shears, could one send an ambulance forthwith'!

OP posts:
TeamEdward · 02/02/2013 17:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlickeringCandle · 02/02/2013 17:46

Yesterday she called the doctor I arrange to have someone trim the threads of her coil as her DH had we stubbed his toe, so to speak

I'm sooooo confused sorry haha.

She called? You arranged to have someone trim the threads of her coil? And her DH stubbed his toe?

What does the toe stubbing have to do with it?

Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:46

Hyvapavia a magnet should get those tags off for you Smile

OP posts:
EuroShagmore · 02/02/2013 17:48

Complain. This woman is a danger (assume she understood and your sister didn't confuse her by talking about toe stubbing Hmm ).

Original poster
Antipag · 02/02/2013 17:48

Ha sorry if I was unclear, it is my errant typing that has failed me here flickeringcandle. She called to arrange trimming the threads of her coil. I was trying to be euphemistically polite by saying her DH had stubbed his toe but I meant that he had felt it with his penis during sex.

OP posts:
DrRanj · 02/02/2013 17:49

Uhhh, how did you think the dr was going to trim the threads? Presumably he/she would use scissors? Though of course he would have the advantage of using a speculum I suppose...

I have heard several mnetters say they have removed coils themselves, now that does make me shudder! Grin

FlickeringCandle · 02/02/2013 17:50

Oooooh I get you now!

I'd complain. Tbh I know most receptionists ask about your problem to see whether it is urgent etc I think this is breaching that.

And she especially shouldn't be giving any advice out.