To complain about this receptionist?

[BirdPerson]

Went to my local NHS clinic this morning for an appointment - it’s a typical NHS outpatients building with different services in different rooms/floors.

Anyway, I was waiting with my 18 month old, we’d been there an hour already and though I’d gone equipped with snacks and books, she was started to get a little bored.

She noticed a childs activity table in the waiting area of an adjacent clinic, so I went in with her and sat down to have a play. Almost as soon as I did, the receptionist came out from behind the desk and asked me if I had an appointment. I said no, my daughter just wanted to have a little play. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘if you don’t have an appointment you’re not permitted to use our facilities.’

I didn’t quite understand/believe what she was saying, so I asked her if she was being serious. She told me she was and asked me to leave. I told her she was very petty and left, but I’ve been seething about it ever since and I want to put in a complaint to the Trust. AIBU?

I don't think yabu. You could've explained it in detail but it does seem rather petty that you'd need to. I'd let it go though.

@shitholiday2018 the only ignorant person here is you - can't admit you're wrong so arguing Black is white ... it's still black I'm afraid

.... and please don't suggest I'm racist with the above comment either

You'd be surprised people do come in off the street to use NHS play facilities (I work for the NHS). It perhaps sounds like you were a little unclear. Don't sweat it though :)

I agree with others you should have been more clear OP.

As an MN user you know there are plenty of CF's out there, the receptionist has likely dealt with her share, hence her questioning you.

Of course the receptionist didn't think the OP wandered in so her child could play with germ riddled equipment in the waiting room. She knew perfectly well where the OP had come from. The receptionist was being an arse. I personally wouldn't report her but I'd think about it!

Oh and we did clean the toys in our department regularly with anti septic wipes. Surely only the same level as germs as toys in a nursery?

OMFG!!!

The first couple of posters, can you just read the fucking thread properly!!

You pounce on the OP hoping to have a go when it is YOU that's being a twat!

Please for the love of God......RTFT (properly)

Surely only the same level as germs as toys in a nursery?

Except it is more likely that the children using the surgery equipment are sick/in the presence of sick people?

I'd worry I wouldn't hear the original receptionist call my name out (or be able to see the screen) if I went to a next door clinic

shitholiday, you are the problem not the solution.

Receptionists have to be very aware of who is in their waiting room, whether they've checked in on the system, whether they have their notes with admission card to clinic on top, so as not to delay the consultant nursing staff when patient is called through. Maybe she thought someone was in the clinic who'd not been 'processed' which would have buck stopped with her. So she came over and checked if you had an appt to solve the 'mystery' and take appropriate steps to get notes etc. But you said 'No!'

She was a jobsworth, surely there are often people who don't themselves have an appointment but are accompanying someone who does and also have children with them. The receptionist was an arsey twat, the OP and her child were doing no harm, the play equipment is clearly there for children who are visiting the centre to play with, it wasn't causing her any additional work to allow a child to play there. WTF all you people having a go at the OP saying she could just have randomly walked in off the street? Like anyone just randomly wanders about with their child and into random buildings on the off- chance there's a play area.

Hi OP, I can understand why you're annoyed about this. It's one thing to read what happened and quite the other to be on the receiving end of a snooty receptionist. It seems especially rude when you have such a small child - I am so used to people being warm and friendly to my toddler that it seems strange when they aren't. He is only 3 and he's been invited on fire engines, a man let him sit on a little tractor once and the other day he was given free marshmallows at our coffee shop. What if you were off the street ? The idea of denying access to free (and probably b grade) toys to any baby and tired Mum is pretty uncivilised and lacking in grace, kindness and humanity. I think you should just take a free lesson from this that as a Mother with a small child you're within your right to shame the next person who does this and school them on basic civilisation.

but there’s a chance she may have thought I like to tour local hospitals and abuse their play facilities for shits and giggles

Well this thread has certainly given my sine inspiration for toddler day trips. A weekly tour of different medical facilities in our area should see us through until the weather starts getting better. As an added bonus, I might even end up with a sick child. Brilliant.

This is quite possibly one of the oddest things I have heard on here and there are quite some contenders. The receptionist was being an arse, I can’t believe this problem is so endemic that she has to act as a bouncer for some kids’ toys.

Hi I am a dad not a mom so be nice !
can anyone tell me how I can complain about a doctors receptionist

I have or should I say I used to have mental issues nothing bad it just I hate being talked to like an idiotic can anyone help
thank you
Buzzer

It appears The receptionist got the wrong end of the stick, she would have dealt with 100s of people throughout the day and believe me people do and say some odd things in hospitals, she will be on minimum wage (that’s not an excuse for incompetence or rudeness) but you are not really sure if she made the incorrect assumption regarding your being there, so to report her and put her through a disciplinary at the cost of the nhs seems a bit of an over reaction.