Aibu to hate the doctors receptionists?

[Pellasalla]

I've just got out of the doctors and after not falling pregnant I've been sent for a scan.
I went to the reception with the referral letter and the receptionist barked loudly in front of the surgery "what is the reason for the referral"
So I just replied "just for a scan"
Then she said "why has the doctor referred you for a scan?"
I didn't want the whole surgery knowing my business so I said "it's a private matter"
She then loudly said "we need to know"
At this point I was annoyed and just said "look I've been referred for this can you tell me if I will receive a letter in post"
She said "you will get a choose and book letter"
Then walked away
What's it got to do with her?
What happened to confidentiality

I also don't agree that receptionists are rude because patients are rude to them! Even if that were the case a couple of rude patients does not give them the right to treat all patients like shit. It's got to the point now where I'm surprised if a receptionist is friendly and helpful.

Quite often if I ring for an appointment a receptionist will ask me what the problem is....

I was in the other day and a gentleman was at the desk to enquire about his latest repeat prescription and then the receptionist went on to list, in a very loud voice, which five of his medicines had been ordered and I couldn't believe it as she was basically announcing to the entire waiting room what medical conditions he had. The poor man looked really embarrassed, I felt so bad for him.

The ones at mine are generally unpleasant but I've also witnessed some of the abuse and frustrating situations they face.

Haven't read all of these yet but fluffyears that receptionists should have been reported. That's a serious breach of patient confidentiality and data protection.

My boyfriends mum is a medical receptionist and is usually pretty pleasant. She does work with one woman who is a complete dragon though.

You have every right to complain about this person. Just because she works in a surgery doesn't mean she is a doctor. But usually they do need a little background info- same if you rang for an appt.

Im a gp receptionist and would say where i work most of us work really hard to help people and are in the job because we enjoy working with people but i do know what you mean we have a couple who do act superior. When we ask what appt is for we are made to do thar by Gps it honestly isnt because we want to know. We also get in trouble if booked unsuitable thing in. So for example we can ask for a sick note for a patient by request if we book a urgent appt for a sicknote req we would get told off. We are not aloud to give medical advice, we are all trained in confidentiality and it is so important so please speak to practice manager. They will help you and staff member can get training. Im sure manager would be really annoyed staff are being rude to patients we are front line for the service and need to make a good impression. Sometimes patients can be very rude or difficult for a variety of reasons. That does not excuse us being rude to them or anyone else.

At ours they are either girls barley out of school who need to get another receptionist involved to help them with everything or complete and utter dragons.
When I was pregnant but unaware I had severe HG. I obviously didn't know this (negative pregnancy tests) and called up every day for two weeks trying to get an appointment out of work hours (New to the job so didn't want to rock the boat). For two weeks all the appointments after 4pm were gone by 8:07 with the appointment line opening at 8:00 (having been on the phone since 8). One day after being told no again I started crying and suddenly I could be seen at half past 4

Have to agree with op. If the gp heard some of the receptions they be shocked. Theres one practice i moved because the receptionist scared me. (South west london) I wasn't the only one if you read reviews. Luckily i think since leaving london theyve been better or maybe im lucky with where we are.

Scarlet. Im abit shocked your colleague did that as she could be liable. I wouldnt recommend a beautician ever for that! Im hoping he is a low risk patient with none complicated nails.

I can see both sides. Sometimes I've been frustrated by having to deal with receptionists at my GPs. But when I was made redundant from my last job I began working for the NHS, initially in a hospital and then as a GP receptionist. I have been totally blown away by the demands of the job and the rudeness and condescension I've had to tolerate - from GPs, other clinicians and from patients. Receptionists can't win - often they are asked to carry out the tasks that GPs and managers don't want and haven't got time to do e.g. cancelling appointments (even when there are no alternatives to offer), asking people to pay a high price for letters or other admin tasks (even when on benefits), refuse to book patients in (even when there are slots, because the GP is overworked and needs to catch up on admin), ask patients for clinical details before booking them in (this was insisted upon by one GP), and so on. At my current practice the phone rings non-stop and other admin tasks pile up meanwhile e.g. processing repeat prescriptions and scanning on patient information/hospital letters. In a ten-hour day, we receptionists manage at most a 30 minute break. Patients always believe they are the only one asking for something urgent - far from true. I hope to be able to leave soon and find other work but that's easy to say and difficult to do, particularly at my stage of life. I try to be as helpful as possible and keep a smile on my face but it has been really difficult at times. Even when you are polite and friendly, people think nothing of dissing you. They will be openly rude and abusive then go into see the doctor and be as nice as pie - receptionists are just easy game for everyone.

I've had to use the NHs a lot in the last ten years especially and I've come across just about all the varieties of rude andpleasant you can get! But i have to to say that the vast majprity of the people I have encountered - both receptionists and HCPs have been very very kind and pleasant. The trouble is if you are feeling ill and vulnerable, it is very hard to cope with the rare nasty person, and it feels so much worse than dealing with a rude person under normal circumstances.

The receptionists at my local surgery are all very kind, and they have a lot to deal with ( a lot of often very aggressive patients wanting methodone, wanting immediate atention etc as there is a big drugs problem where I live) and I've never seen them be anything but patient and polite.

It is very tough being the front of house person when the delays etc are not your fault but you have to deal with the fall out.

Most of them are rude and ignorant. From where do they get such awful people?

I think it is a universal hated.

I've only been employed as a Gp receptionist for 7 weeks now. I would like to think the patients think me (and my colleagues) are polite and helpful. To second what a previous poster said about asking the reason for an appointment- ours is GPs have requested it and it also helps prioritise the call back system we use. We also get all referrals actioned within 48 hours and a letter goes out to the patient.
My surgery where I am a patient- they are terrible! I had one sigh and mutter under her breath when i asked to make a follow up appointment - she was more interested in messing around with her nails!

I must be lucky, in almost 50 years I've never had a receptionist ask me why I am booking an appointment. Have never had any of them questioning me.

We had a problem with a repeat prescription not being filled/gone missing a few weeks ago, the receptionist could not have been more helpful, we needed to get a doctor to print and sign a new one, she ran about like a blue arsed fly to get one to sign it (we were going on holiday the following day, my fault, should have collected it a few days earlier but sometimes the days get away with you!)

The pharmacist was amazing too!!