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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctors receptionist told me I was rude

106 replies

amatsip · 15/07/2019 18:35

I had a 4 week wait for my appt today and had bloods took 4 weeks ago, 2 came back abnormal and the doctor asked me to repeat them and book to see her next week so she can do an action plan.

I went to reception and asked for an appt for next week, told none available, week after then, none available, receptionist said none for 4 weeks.

Okay can I have an appt for 4 weeks time I asked, I then got told that I can't book that far ahead.

I asked her what do I do? the doctor has requested a follow up and I can't book one?

I never raised my voice.

The receptionist said same day appts are emergencies so they are not available either.

I then said forget it and went to walk off and she shouted I was rude.

I burst into tears as I left as it had took so much courage to go the doctors as I found this really an embarrassing situation to discuss.

I understand the reception staff get abuse but I was not rude.

It was just me and 2 reception staff so now I am in tears thinking I will be struck off as the posters suggest for being rude.

It really will be her word against mine.

I have never felt so rough I really needed to get referred and now I can't even get an appt.

Any ideas, please be gentle I am feeling very upset.

OP posts:
Lovestonap · 15/07/2019 18:42

I would write a letter to your GP and Practice manager. Explain what happened and ask for their advice on how to book an appointment. Hopefully they'll get you booked in asap. Good luck.

Lovestonap · 15/07/2019 18:43

Also ( if you have the energy) petition local MP. Or register with alternative surgery?

ravenshope · 15/07/2019 18:43

I would write a letter to your doctor, putting "Private and confidential" on the envelope and explaining what you have posted here. Ask her to telephone you to give you an appointment. I have done this with mine.

HappydaysArehere · 15/07/2019 18:44

I should write a note to the doctor who requested the blood tests and follow up. Explain you are anxious but are unable to make an appointment through reception. Please can she/he help you.

ashtrayheart · 15/07/2019 18:47

I would phone and ask to speak to the gp tomorrow, failing that put a complaint in. There has to be some half way facility between same day emergency and sooner than 4 weeks time!
I would have been frustrated and a bit stroppy too.

viques · 15/07/2019 18:48

I am sorry you are feeling so upset. I think the best way forward without you having to face the receptionist at the moment would be to write a note to the practice manager explaining what happened just as you have done it here and say that you now appear to be in Catch 22 and what can be done so that you can repeat the tests your GP has requested and find out what is causing the problem.

Have you got the appointment for the bloods? I am lucky that my surgery does walk in bloods (with a requisition) but I know some surgeries expect proper appts to be made.

NoBaggyPants · 15/07/2019 18:48

You were fine up to the "forget it". That's rude. It's frustrating for you and for the receptionist, but vent that frustration at the Tories who are decimating the NHS.

When you're calmer send a note to the GP. They are the only ones that have the discretion to override the system.

longwayoff · 15/07/2019 18:50

That's absurd. Write to your GP as advised above. Shockingly poor service from th surgery.

CarolinaChina · 15/07/2019 18:53

You are definitely not BU. I get that it can be a stressful job with over-demand for appts, but that’s no reason to call you rude.

I’d go with the other posters who advise to write to the practice. I suspect this only getting appts on the day malarkey comes from the GPs rather than the reception staff, and it’s the reception staff who have to implement it. Still no justification for calling you rude, though.

CrazyToast · 15/07/2019 18:53

I think it was unprofessional of the receptionist. You were clearly upset and frustrated, and it doesn't take a genius to realise you were worried too. You weren't abusive at all. She shouldn't have done that.

Outlookmainlyfair · 15/07/2019 18:54

Poor you, I would have been upset too. They were rude!

CitadelsofScience · 15/07/2019 18:54

Just in case for next time, my Gp books the appointments for me on his system when I need to be seen within a certain time frame.

Aethelfleda · 15/07/2019 18:58

write to the practice saying dr X has asked you to book a followup appointment about your recent blood tests but none were available, so please can they either ring you on xxx to discuss or ring or text you with an appointment time. They’ll put the letter in Dr X’s in-tray and hopefully they’ll ask reception to make a sensible time slot.
It’s tough when there aren’t enough appointments but it’s the same up and down the country (I assume you are in the UK).

Benjispruce · 15/07/2019 19:00

I have similar problems with my GP practice. It's such an inadequate system! YANBU

MyFokMarelize · 15/07/2019 19:01

You were fine up to the "forget it". That's rude

Ridiculous. Rude is 'OK, fuck off then you shit-eating harridan'. Upset, stressed, uncertain, powerless and on the verge of tears = 'Forget it'. Not rude at all and entirely provoked by the receptionist.

Kissez · 15/07/2019 19:02

It's a crazy crazy situation. It's exactly like that at our surgery. I actually feel sorry for the receptionists, having to be the face of that system, it stinks. I just phone up and say, yes it's an emergency and I need same day appointment; every time now.

Imanamechangeninja · 15/07/2019 19:03

We’ve had this too when DDs mental health was a worry and the doctor wanted to see her fortnightly but the practice didn’t have any appointments for a month. I spoke to the practice manager who sorted it out very quickly.

Wellmet · 15/07/2019 19:07

When you asked her what to do, what was her response?
I used to ask this of our doctors receptionists a lot when my children were little, as they had a really strange system. Turning it round on them got me an appointment every single time.

I don't think you were rude...she couldn't give you an appointment and told you not to bother ringing for a same day one- what option was there other than to forget it?

I would ring them up tomorrow and ask what they suggest. Repeat what they are saying back to them: "So despite the doctor asking to see me, you're saying there is absolutely no way to book an appointment, is that right? Can you pass that message on to my doctor?"

Roussette · 15/07/2019 19:07

Gosh. I would be saying... the Doctor insists on seeing me next week, you will have to put me in as an emergency appointment

We are so lucky where we live. Often get same day appointments, if not next day or very very occasionally... day after that. I can't remember the last time I waited more than 24 hours

Mamamia456 · 15/07/2019 19:11

I would ring up tomorrow and say that you saw the Dr. and he wants you to make an appointment to have your bloods redone and to see you next week. They should give you one of the emergency appointments. If they are not willing to do that then ask if the Dr. can give you a call back. I have done this with my surgery before and it's surprising how suddenly they seem to have an appointment free when you ask for a call back.

Original poster
amatsip · 15/07/2019 19:12

Thanks you for being understanding, I really had no idea what to do so saying forget it was an ok i'll figure this out another time as I could feel tears welling up at the futility of the situation.

I am in West Sussex, I have been at this doctors 18 years, I hardly ever need a doctors appt probably 3rd time in 7 years so have no idea how things work nowadays.

OP posts:
MadisonMontgomery · 15/07/2019 19:13

Honestly, don’t worry about being struck off. I work in a GP surgery and you can be as rude as you like to receptionists and you won’t be struck off as long as you are polite to the clinical staff.

ChihuahuaMummy1 · 15/07/2019 19:14

The receptionists can override the appointments that they "cant" book that far ahead,I know because I used to be one. Speak to your practice manager about it.

Amibeingdaft81 · 15/07/2019 19:15

Were you trying to book your blood test as well?

Original poster
amatsip · 15/07/2019 19:15

I'm going to ask my husband on his way to work to pop a letter in for the clinic manager tomorrow, the advice above is great thank you.

OP posts:
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