Popped into my GP surgery today to order my repeat prescription. There was a queue in reception, so the receptionist was asking people if they needed to see the dispenser or see the GP. I replied that I just needed to see the dispenser to order my repeat and she told me 'Oh I can order that for you'. She then went over to her desk which was a good 15ft from me and called to me to confirm my name and address. She then asked if I wanted to order every item.on my repeat, which I actually didn't and told her so. She then asked (well, called over to me loudly as she was 15 ft away) which item I didn't want ordering?
Now, I really didn't want to have to call to her which item it was because it was personal and private. Also there happened to be my neighbour in the same queue and my DS's teacher, and I just didn't want them knowing what medication I was on!
So, I sort of half shrugged and smiled at the receptionist and said I didn't want to tell her infront of the entire queue. She immediately stood up and said snottily 'I was only trying to help' and started to call to the next person in the queue. I actually felt sheepish so told her I was grateful she was trying to help but I was entitled to a bit of patient confidentiality. But she abruptly interrupted me and told me ''Oh just go and see the dispenser if that's how you feel'. Her tone was so dismissive.
So I just sort of shuffled off to see the dispenser feeling about an inch tall. But surely I was right to want a bit of privacy? Couldn't she have got me to write down which medication I didn't need to reorder or something?