To think this receptionist could have been nicer?

[lagertops]

...Or that I should just be grateful I was given an appointment at such short notice?

I phoned up round about 10am asking to see a GP. I was told that I would have to wait until Tuesday, so I said, 'Ok, I'm just concerned because I'm 6 months pg and I have cystitis symptoms, and I've just found blood in my urine, maybe I could try the hospital if you're busy?' She then sighs in my earhole and says 'You could have phoned earlier when we had appointments,' to which I said 'But I've just seen the blood 5 minutes ago.' I hear her clattering away on the keyboard, she then says 'Come in at 5' and puts the phone down.
Eh?

[Misspixietrix]

oldgrandma Reverse Charm School! There's one at my Surgery that must have graduated there too! She hates me though stems from not letting me have an appointment with my severely asthmatic dd. Finally convinced her argued the toss with her to get the Asthma Nurse to at least ring me. We got told to come straight down and said Receptionist got a real dressing down off the Nurse for not Taking me seriously.

[Mouthfulofquiz]

It's so wrong. I had the same when I called to ask if someone could see my son as he had a really high temp and was unwell - she said: afternoon appointments are for chest pain only!! To which i replied that he hadnt had such a high temperature between the specific times of 08:00 - 08:30 which is when you call for same day apointments.
So I asked if I should go straight to the ED because I was so worried and then the duty doctor told her that he wanted to see him straight away. So YANBU to send an email to the practice manager.

[internationallove985]

As a receptionist myself I can tell you that her behavior was unprofessional and unacceptable.
Receptionists are never allowed their off days. xx

[strokey]

She hung up on you? Nutter. How rude! Id complain, and take great pleasure in the fact she would hopefully get a bollocking.

Hope you get it sorted.

[DanicaJones]

There used to be an incredibly rude librarian at our local library. Luckily she left and they are all lovely now.

[DanicaJones]

I think saying "Come in at 5" and then putting the phone down is pretty rude. What happened to waiting for the OP to answer and then saying goodbye before putting the phone down. I wouldn't finish a phone conversation like that.

[RobotHamster]

How did your appointment go? Hope all is ok.

[HamletsSister]

I do not think you should HAVE to even explain intensely personal symptoms to an unqualified receptionist. If you say you need to se a Dr urgently, they should not need a list of symptoms. Complain.

My mother, a nurse, always goes mad when a receptionist asks for symptoms. She replies with, "If I knew what was wrong with me, I would be the Dr, not the one making the appointment." But you get away with that in your 70s!

[Salmotrutta]

I'd be keeping my powder dry for a situation that really merited a complaint.

Someone sighing at you and maybe being less than effusive is not worth the hassle.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

I've been a receptionist in a busy Hospital Outpatients dept with stressed, angry, rude patients.

She was rude

I see how receptionists become like this but actually it's not excusable.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

but if op does not bring it up she will continue to be arsey with people for no good reason. that could have consequences if anyone vulnerable is upset by her or does not seek medical help because they are afraid of her.

[ubik]

No big deal though, is it.

[natwebb79]

There's not being as professional as possible and being fecking rude when a major part of your job description is 'Be polite'. Two very different things.

[ubik]

Anything less than perfect professionalism is worthy of complaint on mumsnet. It often reminds me of Victorian novel with its lengthy discussions on dr's receptionist etiquette

[deadduck]

I feel I want to speak to the practice manager myself now
Totally and completely unacceptable.

[Dobbiesmum]

I used to work with someone like this, as a GP receptionist she was a PITA and totally in the wrong job. It takes 10 seconds to wind yourself down and take a breath if you're busy and stressed to be able to deal with the general public decently.
Complaining won't get you anywhere as she didn't actually do anything, you got an appointment and she wasn't nasty. This time at least..
Receptionists don't act as a barrier, well they're not supposed to, they are, in general acting on the surgery rules as laid down by the practice manager and senior GP. No excuse for being short with people though.
Hope all is well for you

[natwebb79]

And that ^^

[DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved]

The trouble is with gp receptionists being rude and unhelpful is that when someone is actually ill it means they can't fight the unpleasantness to get the gold dust appointment, and quite likely give up. Receptionists act as a barrier to people getting healthcare, so should perhaps be aware of the consequences of their attitude, good or bad.

I say this as someone who has to battle with extreny unprofessional and down right nasty gp receptionists at my practise, and who have actively barred my way to getting urgent care/ action on more than one occasion.

So I'm firmly on the side of encouraging actual professionalism and politeness in people who have a responsible job to do. I'm sure someone will be on to tell me that I'm wrong, and we should all excuse them any rudeness 'because the nhs is so stretched'.

[LazyMonkeyButler]

I hope your appointment goes well & that your symptoms clear up soon OP .

[LazyMonkeyButler]

I'd love to be a fly on the wall at some MNers' surgeries. The queue outside the Practice Manager's office must be huge!

Yes, she was a bit rude but she did offer you an appointment. If she had refused you one or tried to diagnose you herself then, by all means, complain but that didn't happen.

I don't understand people who think it's reasonable to 'see the Manager' everytime someone is slightly rude to them. It must be extremely time consuming .

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

She was pretty rude.

I just phoned about something similar (throat swab results) and had much better treatment.

She could have been very very busy though, but thats no excuse

[natwebb79]

That ^^

[HotCrossPun]

It's rude. It's not good customer service and creates a horrible impression.

I was at the doctors a couple of days ago and the receptionist tapped away on her keyboard for a good 5 minutes before acknowledging me. It takes a second to say 'I'll be with you in a minute.'

It's not a major, life shattering issue. But she was rude.

Your question was could she have been nicer. So YANBU.

[TelephonicsSuper]

I'd complain to the practice manager or the GP- it's unprofessional. they're paid to do a busy customer facing job and if they can't handle that then they shouldn't be doing it. Some NHS receptionists seem to think being arsely fine as the service is "free" - well its not friggin free we pay for it. I cant imagine your GP would be inpressed either, theyre the ultimateboss and they arent going to want people complaining all the time so def flag it.