To think the receptionist was out of order?

[umbrellaellaella]

I went to see my GP, as I've been experiencing irregular bleeding. He persuaded me to have swabs and a smear test (I have never had one). Just to rule anything out. He wrote this on a piece of paper and told me to give it to the receptionist.

I did, and she read it out, loudly - "So you want to be booked in for swabs and a smear test." The surgery wasn't crowded - there was only one patient sitting down, and the cleaner. But the cleaner was half in conversation with the receptionist when I came over, so she was standing there listening, waiting to chat again. Both people definitely heard.

I am not a prude, but I feel it was really wrong of her to say that, especially so loudly? It's my private medical business, and surely receptionists should have a little more discretion? Or am I overreacting? I know I shouldn't be embarrassed, but I was a bit shocked at how she was.

I’m currently changing my GP due to these sorts of privacy issues. Now you can’t get an appointment without describing your condition to the receptionist and having them decide if it’s worth the GPs time with them being able to reccomend over the counter medication instead. Doesn’t sit right with me and if I had the money I’d go private because I’m at the drs so much (autoimmune disorders and long term health conditions) I don’t think that the receptionists are qualified to make medical judgments in the slightest.

YANBU. Confidentiality matters.

I work in health and this is an insensitive breach of confidentiality, I would drop the practice manager an email to remind her about patient confidentiality.

The pharmacist used to really annoy me by shouting out my anti-depressants so all the shop could hear!!!

YANBU. I have had GP receptionists do this and I hate it. They should not be broadcasting your medical info where people can hear, that's against protocol and patient dignity. It doesn't matter if it was a smear or not TBH. That info is confidential. I would complain.

It's not about whether anybody else would care - the patient's confidentiality was breached and the patient cares.

Unacceptable behaviour.

YABU and need a get a grip.

Lol @sundaygirls. Should op bow and scrape while walking backwards muttering "sorry thank you sorry thanks sorry" on her way out after handing over that essay?

OP YANBU. Definitely complain.

It doesn't matter what it was for, BTW. That information is confidential.

I also don't like pharmacists asking for my address before handing medicine over (although I understand why they have to ask). I say the road but never the house number. I don't want randoms in the pharmacy knowing where I live.

Receptionist bang out of order. Private and confidential information should be discussed in a waiting room She was lucky it wasn't me she was dealing with as I would have told her so there and then and asked to speak to the manager.

For those posters who think the world has gone mad and that this was ok - yes the world has gone mad people have lost any sense of discretion and respect for other people.

arghh 'should NOT be discussed'

I think OP is right feeling as she does. Not everyone is as open about smears etc. What if she was having blood tests for HIV? Or a swab for gonorrhea?

I have had a smear and a swab for mid-cycle bleeding.

And yes, it was for STDs as I found out from reading the computer screen at a later appointment with the doctor

I kept repeating that it was personal etc but she literally made me spell it out in front of the whole tightly packed waiting room of people

So sorry you felt you had to do that.

I'd have loudly asked for her medical qualifications and said I'd only discuss it with a qualified doctor.

I would write a complaint to the practice manager. Not on at all. Doesn't matter what the issue is, it is your personal medical information and you are entitled to confidentiality.