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AIBU?

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GP receptionist - to not have put up with receptionist attitude

47 replies

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 22:26

To order repeat prescription at my GP surgery you are required to call between the hours of 2-4pm... Confused

Unfortunately I work during those hours and (normally in meetings) & can only call during my lunch break... always between (12-1.30).

Practice is open until 5.30pm, however I finish work at 5.150m and need to get Ds2 at 5.45pm.

I joined the surgery end of 2017, and completed an online booking application, however at the time they hadn't received our notes from previous surgery and therefore couldn’t add me to the system.... when they eventually received our files it was 5 months down the line, in which they THEY lost the application forms.

Second set was sent out and completed in July 2018 however apparently I’m still not on the system... after I contacted them 2 weeks ago to advise I couldn’t get access to the booking system.

Ds2 requires less medicine in the winter than he does the summer.

Ds seen his consultant Jan 2019... who reviewed his medicine and some were then issued on a as and when required Basis.

consultant was very happy with his current treatment plan, (Allergy anaphylaxis/asthmatic) as I am obsessively strict in maintaining in ds treatment plan.

On receiving the letter, I called ds surgery to confirm they had received acknowledgement of the letter, receptionist confirmed they had and assured us that they would change his script to the consultant recommendation.

So today I called for his scrip (after failing unsuccessfully 4x to get any further information regarding the online booking system) on my lunch break (12.30) to be absolutely berated by the receptionist as didn’t I know how busy they were during this time

I explained all of the above, however was then endured a phone call last 28mins and 34 second berating of the following...

1, I needed to do an online application Angry

2, in-depth explanation as to what a repeat prescription is to that of prescription given on a as when required Confused

3, the difference between his inhalers and why they are important Confused

4, I needed to manage my time better Angry

5, one of ds medication was not on his as and when required prescription and how was she to know without looking at the notes... I asked her to get the GP to have a read of his consultant letter in Jan, and if there was any issue I’d call his consultant completely ignored me saying this and further berated me

6, On asking her to confirm his medication order... I was then subjected to another 5 min of tyrants of wasting her time... eventually after getting her confirm his medication she missed 3 items off his order... Wine

I’d had enough at this point... told her very abruptly and firmly she needs to stop interrupting me, listen to what I was saying and to stop being argumentative at every point of what I was saying, when I was explaining the above.

Apparently she was only doing her job and I just didn’t understand Biscuit

All I wanted to do was bloody get a prescription which has taken me over 2 weeks to bloody do!!!

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 22:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn - duplicate post.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 22:27

OMG Shock apologies didn’t even realise how big this was Blush

OP posts:
Wherearemycrayons · 21/05/2019 22:30

I was ready to flame you as I’m a GP receptionist and i get so sick of people slagging us off, however she really does sound like the stereotype that gives us all a bad name!! So sorry you had to deal with that, OP. Not that it’s any help at all but I would of been a lot more forthcoming for you! Wish I could give you some advice but I guess perhaps a letter to the practice manager? Flowers I really understand how frustrating it is, and she wasn’t just doing her job, she wasn’t listening as you’ve said!

fecketyfeck21 · 21/05/2019 22:31

i'd speak to practice manager, sounds a right pain

endofthelinefinally · 21/05/2019 22:35

Write to the practice manager.
Explain everything clearly and calmly.
Cc the GP.
If no joy contact your MP and ask them to contact the CCG on your behalf.
I worked in GP until I retired.
I now have a serious, progressive condition.
It is not helped by dealing with constant incompetence and confusion over appointments, prescriptions and tests/ results.
The complete inability of hospital, pharmacy and Surgery to communicate with each other is exhausting.

Doobigetta · 21/05/2019 22:35

You must go to the same surgery as me.

Poppins2016 · 21/05/2019 22:39

I'd complain to your practice manager. I'm usually the first to sympathise with GP receptionists, however this one sounds as though she's in the wrong job!

Mascarponeandwine · 21/05/2019 22:43

My surgery has an awful receptionist too. I arrived for a nurse appointment to ensure miscarriage was complete and I was ok (blood loss complications and retained products). I had to take my 2yo (no other childcare)who started crying when I was booking in. The receptionist ordered me to stand outside as 2yo was disturbing other patients in the waiting room with his crying. I was weak, ill and all over the place emotionally so did as told, standing outside the entrance in the rain with a sobbing toddler. Another waiting patient stuck up for me and complained about her attitude to the nurse, who stormed out to get me then tore a strip off the nasty receptionist. I should’ve complained to the practice manager too but the nurse was so good (massively told her off) so I let them off.

LemonRedwood · 21/05/2019 22:46

4, I needed to manage my time better

I thought this part in particular was outstandingly rude of her.

Island35 · 21/05/2019 23:02

You need to managed your time better is one of the most annoying and least helpful statements ever! This alone would have sent me in a spiral!!

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 23:06

I’ve emailed the PM asking for them to call me, or dh between 12-2, as ds going to stay with his GP during half term abroad, and need his medication.

If I don’t have the medicine on his as and when list... then his insurance is invalid which has cost £234, i’ve emailed his consultants asking for a back up prescription, however this medicine also needs to be ordered 48 hours in advance and he goes away early hours in Monday.

@mascoponeandwine , I’m so sorry you had to endure that, and I’m glad the nurse was able to intervene.

@lemon , it was honestly one of those surreal moments where I had to pinch myself to just ensure I wasn’t in a Parallel universe.

Don’t normally have an issue (not that we are their much) with GP receptionist, this practise and staffing just seem so disorganised however, then try and blame their service users!

OP posts:
Yubaba · 21/05/2019 23:09

Could you get your pharmacy to order repeat prescriptions on your behalf?

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 23:09

I apologise for my posts also, using my iPhone and fat fingers and being dyslexic doesn’t help either

OP posts:
Teddybear45 · 21/05/2019 23:11

Our GP surgery has suddenly started using nursing and medical students to answer the phone (they are called ‘Care Assistants’). The quality of the conversations has definitely increased — they are able to understand a lot more and are often able to get instant responses from GPs as a result. I think the days of the purely administrative medical receptionist are over thank God

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 23:13

Yubaba - I can with some of his medicine but not all, only just found this out tonight on speaking to the pharmacist as was enquiring how long it would take to get the medicine ds required.

OP posts:
JustSomebodie · 21/05/2019 23:14

The pharmacy can order the prescriptions though Confused

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 23:15

Which is a good thing as ds repeat prescription will now be required on a monthly basis.

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/05/2019 23:23

The pharmacy can order the prescriptions though

It should be as easy as ABC, however not all of his medicine has been put on the as and when required prescription... so pharmacist advised as it’s not on the list ultimately they would be told “computer says no”

OP posts:
Justaboy · 21/05/2019 23:38

I Can order online and look at lots of thijngs to do with my treatment and med history book, appointments the lot and it works very well:)

But

Whenever i've had to speak to the receptionsts they can't have been more polite and helpfull:-)

cdtaylornats · 21/05/2019 23:50

In our surgery they seem happy if people talk to them. Most repeat prescriptions are done online, the pharmacy picks them up, online appointments and a computer in the waiting room to check-in for appointments.

Gingerkittykat · 21/05/2019 23:59

Definitely contact the practice manager. Most of the receptionists I have met are lovely, however one little madam is a nightmare and she even berated a 70+ year old friend of mine.

cstaff · 22/05/2019 00:01

She lectures you about managing your time and took half an hour to do so. Oh the irony.

Hope you and your son get sorted OP and I'm glad you complained. Maybe it will save the next unfortunate client from the same misery.

chipsandgin · 22/05/2019 00:12

Sounds like she might be in the wrong job as well as their admin being a total clusterfuck.

On the other hand there is a slight irony to you being too busy during the times they are able to do the thing you need but you not accepting they are too busy during the times you want them to do the thing you need? How does your busy trump their busy ( especially given the strain the NHS are under)?

DorothyZbornak · 22/05/2019 00:20

This:

Every fucking time! Angry

DorothyZbornak · 22/05/2019 00:22

Grrr. Picture didn't attach. Trying again.....

GP receptionist - to not have put up with receptionist attitude
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