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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About doctors receptionists?

29 replies

curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 11:57

They are all on a complete power trip. They could often help you, but they don't, they talk to people like a piece of shit and try their best to be standoffish and rude!!!

I have once again had an argument with my doctors receptionist today over my daughters milk prescription (she is allergic to dairy so needs special formula.) I've been told by the doctor that's its fine to drop a pescription in to be faxed to my local chemist as I have to get it so frequently...

Que power trip - we don't do this. I can't help you. You can't have your prescription for 3 days. The fact that your baby will have no milk is not an urgency.

Does anyone have a nice one???!!

They belong in a very special section of hell.

OP posts:
DelGirl · 12/11/2013 11:59

yabu, it's part of the job description Wink

SugarHut · 12/11/2013 12:05

Never encountered one that I didn't want to punch in the throat by the end of the phonecall. They are my "thing" I would put into Room 101.

WellThatsLife · 12/11/2013 12:07

If you have a regular pharmacy they may well be able to give you an emergency supply until the prescription comes down from the surgery

FrenchRuby · 12/11/2013 12:11

The ones at my surgery are lovely.
The ones at my old surgery, just awful. Acted like it was a massive inconvenience to make an appointment for me.
Don't get me started on the GPs in that surgery, Ds ended up in hospital being treated for meningitis after my dr told me it was just tonsillitis.
My new surgery is brilliant though!

DreamingofSummer · 12/11/2013 12:15

There is a school or college somewhere that it's compulsory for all dental and doctor surgery receptionists to attend. Here they have every ounce of civility and customer service knocked out of them and have major power-trip and unreasonableness transplants.

After 6 months they are sent to Indian call-centres for more advanced, bloody-mindedness training

leavesalmondoutofit · 12/11/2013 12:29

Sadly GP receptionists have a name for being awkward. I also get frustrated by them.

However I also know that most of the responses come from the GP's. For instance two to three day's for a script this is set by the GP's in the practice. It is all well and good for the "nice" GP to offer everything at the drop of a hat. It would be nice if he/she recorded this on the patient record instead of bollocking the reception staff for asking to have scripts signed during their other activities.

Asking questions when people ask for an appointment what a cheek. Receptionists are trying to prioritise as best they can get urgent people seen as soon as possible.The reception staff probably know the patients better than the GP's and I have heard them advocating fiercely for them when a GP can be dismissive.

No I am not a GP or Dental receptionist :)

bookishandblondish · 12/11/2013 12:32

But if you know that it takes 3 days and you need it frequently, then why don't you simply drop in the script before you need it. The receptionist is following the doctors orders - they will fax but the reality is they will have an agreed process with the chemist (and probably 3 days is one to fax, one to receive and one to cover themselves)

cupcake78 · 12/11/2013 12:33

Dd is also on prescription milk. I have no problem with mine. They have all been lovely and very helpful. Sorry your having a problem.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 12/11/2013 12:37

Can't you just order it straight from the pharmacy as a repeat prescription rather than going to the GP surgery every time? That's what I do with my DS's meds.

Why are you leaving it so late to order? The pharmacy will have to order in the milk so it can take a few days. How many tins do you get in one go? We used to get 8.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 12:37

Because they feel like I'm using too much and seem to question it if I put it in early...

The tins are much smaller than regular formula and make about 11 milks of 6 oz. my daughter is having 5/6 a day of 6oz so I need a new tin every 2 days. They'll only prescribe 3 at a time and ask me to see how it goes rather than stockpile.

It's very frustrating. I managed to speak to the doctor and she said just put in an urgent one the day before you need it.

But the receptionist doesn't have to be such a cow about it. The walk there with said child screaming all the way probably didn't help my mood either! Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 12:39

I'd love to get 8 at once!! I need your doctor! Grin

OP posts:
DeWe · 12/11/2013 12:40

Our receptionists are lovely:

But the repeat prescription service states it takes up to three days. It often doesn't take that long, but it isn't the receptionists that sort it. the doctors have to issue the prescription (even repeats) and then sign them. The quick bit is the receptionsists taking them to the pharmasist. So if the doctors are busy dealing with ill people, the prescription may take a back foot for 24 hours.

I wouldn't leave repeat prescriptions until I needed the stuff that day because things happen anyway, like the chemist not having that prescription in (if it's a specialism like yours may be they sometimes only get in to order), so I'd be looking at probably 5-7 days to give into the GP before I needed it as a general rule.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 12/11/2013 12:41

I suggest you go see your GP then about the prescription. 3 at a time is ridiculous and won't last a week! Are you under a paediatrician or anyone that you could contact about it? Your GP shouldn't be making a 'see how it goes' decision.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 12:42

It's because of the tiny amounts they give me at a time, I have to put another one in almost immediately and then they wonder why.

OP posts:
FryOneFatManic · 12/11/2013 12:43

In your case, OP, I would put a complaint in to the practice manager. This will have the effect of getting the prescription issues sorted out, because between your doctor stating you can just drop it in, and the receptionist querying it, the communication isn't right there and needs sorting.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 12:43

Pobble - it's just a general GP who seems shocked that we go through so much. (Is 6oz 5/6 times a day really that much for 19 weeks old?)

I've asked for a doctor call back, because, shock horror, no appointments for a change.

OP posts:
Laurel1979 · 12/11/2013 12:45

That's a bit of a generalisation! Do you mean all doctors receptionists are awful or just your particular one? I agree it makes no sense to run out before ordering it again, why not ask the GP to change the quantity next time you're in. Is it a prescription only formula?

I respect most of the receptionists I've worked with, having previously worked as a locum GP in nearly 40 practices. Yes, like all jobs, there will always be some better/worse than others, but I don't envy them their job. Remember many patients are also rude too!

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 12/11/2013 12:46

I have had my share of lively discusiions at the surgery too. Ask to speak to the practice manager. I did that recently too and had a heated debate with her alsoGrin I think the problem is that they make so crystal clear that the whole place would run so much more smoothly with those pesky patientsHmm

ILetHimKeep20Quid · 12/11/2013 12:47

I've had chronic eczema flare ups on and off for years. Got a ton of lotions and potions on repeat which, just n theory, means I should just be able to ring up and say gimmie x y z.

Not had a flare up in just under a year. Called yesterday to put in a request for 3 items. Cue lots of moaning about the length of time since I last had the creams, the doctor might not sign it. Ok I sad, can I have an appointment? 2 weeks time is the next one, apparently. Asked her to put the repeat requests through and for someone to call me if it's a problem. You would think it was diazepam or something in was trying to eeek out of them not hydrocortisone and moisturiser.

Original poster
curiousgeorgie · 12/11/2013 12:47

Yes, it's a prescription only formula. Nutramigen.

I did ask for more but she said no, and was shocked we were using so much.

OP posts:
tweetytwat · 12/11/2013 12:49

Last week I rang for an emergency appt for DH at 2pm. He was given an appt for 3.30pm.

So YANBU about receptionists, it's the GP not prescribing adequate amounts. The baby isn't going to suddenly stop needing it, aren't they.

Aquariusgirl86 · 12/11/2013 12:50

Been registered at 3 surgeries in the last year and 2/3 the receptionists were rude and treated me like my children and I were scum. I'm polite to them why can't they give me the sane courtesy!!!!

SuperStrength · 12/11/2013 12:52

Change practise if you can.
GP practices are like small businesses, the GP partners are often making a fortune. They employ the receptionists & set the tone of the practice in the same way that any senior manager would. I feel that for some, having a battle axe on the front desk makes their life easier rather than meeting the needs of their patients. Funding is based on having patients use the practice. No patients = no income.
We moved to a new practice & the difference is like night & day to our old practice. It's well run, everyone is polite, there are lots of appointments etc. At one point I disagreed with having to come to the surgery to get a private referal letter written. My objection was based on the fact that the GP adds nothing of value to this process as I had picked the private OB & I'm quite capable of explaining why I want to see them (this was after having waited 9 months to see an NHS OB who wrongfully told me I had a prolapse!). Anyway, the practice manager agreed with me & arranged for the letter to be drafted so I could pick up in the way home. I felt supported as a tax payer & respected their ability to see the logic in my argument to meet my needs & save the cost of an appointment in the process.
Vote with your feet.

Laurel1979 · 12/11/2013 12:53

I'd definitely speak directly to GP about it in that case, the quantity on a script can easily be changed on the computer system for future scripts. If a child is established on a formula like this I'd usually issue 4 weeks at a time, or if just started then I'd prescribe enough until the baby's next visit, eg 2 weeks worth.

Hope you get it sorted out!

Laurel1979 · 12/11/2013 12:54

Nb Superstrength we don't earn a fortune! (Wish I did though.....)

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