I know it has been done before in various veins but, IABU to think doctors receptionist....

[Dunkling]

… that are not medically trained, are not in a position to triage you and decide yay or nay, are not the gatekeepers of all appointments placed there to keep the appointments empty (see my experience about this later), and at the very, very least, should be trained to understand the reason for appointment rules re; routine, same day urgent and the reason for this. And also, know what a receptionist is? The frontline font of knowledge to pass between the two parties?

This morning feeling increasingly ill after a procedure, and all advice, including from the doctors mouth, being to get checked out asap if any sign of infection shows (I had increased pain, the runs, nausea and terrible fatigue), so I phoned.

I was told I couldn't have a same day appointment only routine, currently 3 weeks away. Same day are for urgent, so heart attacks and strokes, that kind of thing. I repeated routine didn't help me and I needed same day, even with a nurse was ok. Nope...… same day are urgent, and for heart attacks and strokes. I asked her really? Are you really telling me that when people have a heart attack, they ring them for an appointment. Yes, they do. I asked, so you have appointments open today, the same day urgent ones, and you keep them because when someone has a heart attack, you book them in. With an appointment. The ire was lost. And the sense.

Previously, after numerous (ongoing problem) appointments and being told to book in for a blood test at each, even these appointments were like rocking horse poo. 2 and 3 week waits. What happened to a GP asking you to roll your sleeve up for a 60 second procedure? Each time I was told to avoid waiting, to go to a walk in, the doctor would print a sheet to take with me to marry up my test with me. I decided to wait for all but the last time, and so asked the receptionist for the sheet I had been told of, to get from her, 30 seconds earlier. What sheet? And where is this other NHS clinic please? What clinic?... no idea! Good job I'm internet savvy, and can drive. What if I was 70, and confused?

You can tell me IABU. But god that rant felt better! The evil very upset part of me wants to post them a link to this!

So who would You have sat at a reception desk? A qualified doctor or a nurse? Just so they can diagnose a symptom?

A receptionist that just takes appointments and doesn't give opinions or want extra info.

I think a nurse at reception of A&E wouldn't be a bad idea as some clearly don't need to be there and could have just phoned 111 or waited for a gp/gone to a pharmacist. But that's what the triage system is for, it just doesn't work well all the time.

The lack of GPS is a major crisis and most coming into the profession only want to do locum work and not be a salaried or GP partner.

Yep, and on here every other post is 'get him to the GP'.

Thing is if we got the GP service right we would save money by reducing A&E admissions

Even receptionists who listen

"You don't need an urgent appointment for tonsillitis. The pharmacist will see you"
"But I'm neutropenic"
"Pharmacist will sort you out"
ARGH

I don't tell them my business. I don't make GP appointments on a whim, as an adult I can decide when I need to see one so when I'm asked what it's about, I say it's personal.

BlancheM even for a stubbed toe????

even for a stubbed toe????

C'mon! Who would go to see a doctor for a stubbed toe?

It's a catch 22 - I will self treat but the medication that I need are prescription only, so I can't.

I could work out if I need a referral but need to see a GP for that too.

Many things can be safely treated at home with some paracetamol or OTC drugs but when you start moving into more complex conditions you need the dr to write the prescriptions etc. How do we as patients manage these conditions if we can't consult a dr? It's not for want of trying in my case.

Even for a stubbed toe?
No :/