GP surgery like a forbidden fortress

[Redolent]

I left my daughter’s red book at the GP surgery so that the nurse could check it. She called me yesterday and said it was ready to pick up. Have no other details.

Went to collect it today (wearing a face mask, standing 2 metres back) and the receptionist was very annoyed at me. ‘You should have called beforehand so we could have left it on the table by the door’... ‘we don’t want people coming in’.

Then she asked me to step outside while she put it on the table, went back inside in, then called me to collect it.

AIBU to think this is ridiculously exaggerated? I’m all for facilitating phone consultations with GPs where possible, but when the surgery operates like a barricaded Fort Knox, it doesn’t exactly encourage people to come forward with their ailments. Especially minor ones that may turn out to be serious if checked out.

Gave no other details*

Similar experience myself at a GP surgery the other week, I was the only one there with face mask and still got barked at by the receptionist about getting it all wrong. YADNBU!

They can't leave it by the door for any one to pick it up? Isn't that a potential gdpr breach? Because anyone can pick it up?

@slipperywhensparticus

They can't leave it by the door for any one to pick it up? Isn't that a potential gdpr breach? Because anyone can pick it up?

I didn’t think of that. But yes there were all manner of addressed letters and envelopes there waiting to be collected.

My GP receptionist had a right go at me because I didn't want to have prescriptions delivered to a pharmacy and instead wanted to pick them up from the surgery. She hadn't even got the repeat prescription ready because she was waiting for me to change my mind and authorise pharmacy collection. So I came in three days after requesting a repeat prescription and had to stand around while she huffed and puffed and finally sorted it out. I understand they want to minimise footfall, but you know, tough luck, giving prescriptions is part of what a doctor's surgery does.

My 93yo dad ended up in hospital after a phone consultation with his GP. The GP adjusted the anti-inflamatories for his osteoarthritis instead of picking up that he had a UTI and septic arthritis. He could have died, he still isn't over the infection.

I completely understand why they don't want people in there but it does make you wonder how many people aren't getting the help and treatment they need because they can't see their GP.

If hairdressers can put some ppe on and see customers, I'm not sure why a GPs receptionist can't hand you a book!

Our GP receptionists are behind screens anyway - there's a screen between them and the entrance hall, and also a screen between them and the waiting room. They won't even let people into the entrance hall which they keep locked even though it would be perfectly safe for people to go in - it's no less safe than shops, pharmacists etc who have flimsier temporary screens. They're just loving having the excuse to do so little!

@Fink

My GP receptionist had a right go at me because I didn't want to have prescriptions delivered to a pharmacy and instead wanted to pick them up from the surgery. She hadn't even got the repeat prescription ready because she was waiting for me to change my mind and authorise pharmacy collection. So I came in three days after requesting a repeat prescription and had to stand around while she huffed and puffed and finally sorted it out. I understand they want to minimise footfall, but you know, tough luck, giving prescriptions is part of what a doctor's surgery does.

This is such an annoyance! The last 3 times they "sent a prescription" to my local Boots it never arrived so I also collect.

I had to shout through the locked door about collecting a sample pot for my son's unrine infection. On a busy street, all arranged and waiting for me to collect. Was made to feel a massive inconvenience!

Glad it wasn't about something confidential about myself.

I couldn’t agree more!

Why are GP surgeries like the Holy Grail but dentists are now back in operation - thank God - with full use of PPE.

I have had a cyst in quite an intimate area now for weeks. (Definitely not a Bartholin cyst of which I have several over many years). Became infected and burst and I thought I had everything out of it but it is growing again. ☹️ Had a telephone appointment with a GP and, to be fair, I am 99% certain it’s just a nasty vaginal boil but I am over 60 so more prone to genital cancers at my age. Just given antibiotics with an offer to look at it once they are “Back to normal”. 🤔

I am quite laid back and not worried about myself but it does make me wonder how many definite cancers/serious illnesses are being missed and will cause loss of many lives.☹️😡.

@Countrygirl99 that must have been horrifying! I do so hope your father feels better soon but, my God, he is so lucky he didn’t contract sepsis. 😱

Totally agree, and the Vet's has been the same. It seems Covid-19 has been the perfect excuse for people with a tiny bit of authority, who are that way inclined, to bark orders at the rest of us.

Rafflesway very lucky and a common cause of death in the elderly.

@countrygirl99

My 93yo dad ended up in hospital after a phone consultation with his GP. The GP adjusted the anti-inflamatories for his osteoarthritis instead of picking up that he had a UTI and septic arthritis. He could have died, he still isn't over the infection.

Please report this to your local Healthwatch and/or the CQC - online/phone consultations are a really steep learning curve and the problems need to be collated.

YANBU that's ridiculous. You were wearing a mask and keeping your distance. I know surgeries need to be cautious but that sounds OTT.

I went to my dentist last week and experienced nothing of the sort. They have staggered appointments to ensure people aren't hanging about in the waiting room, receptionists and dentist wearing mask/visor and cleaning the equipment e.g. chair between customers. I think it was the most normal experience I've had since lockdown started.

I voted YABU because it is "the new normal". When I put my dog to the groomers, the cutter/person behaved like that, calling out to me to wait outside, then insisting I spray my dog with their antibac, then putting on one of their collars, and taking mine away with me.

My point is, it was slightly dramatic, took slightly longer than normal, but didn't actually matter, and their new procedures are there to protect themselves, and ME, so I went along with it. The new normal, we're all going to have to accept it is different now.

For those of us who are shielding yet who still need blood tests and so on, it's really great that GPs are being so strict. Yes, it's a lot stricter than shops - but we can avoid shops, we can't avoid GPs.

YABU. The safety procedures are there for everyone. Nobody should be handing you anything; it is safer for it to be left on a surface and picked up by you.

Welcome to the National Corona Service. If you don't have the Rona - the NHS has fucked off.

I have a child who is losing her vision - can't read her fucking school books now - and won't get an appointment at the hospital for another estimated 8 months (was due end of March).

They could have posted it out if they were that bad.

Problem is some folk are feckless. They would go to doctors with flu or sickness (D&V) bugs. There’s nothing the doctor can do, unless the were having complications. Let’s be honest though, if they were having complications then they wouldn’t be able to even make it to the doctors.

Welcome to the National Corona Service. If you don't have the Rona - the NHS has fucked off.

DD has regular physio from the NHS. We've had consultant's appointments.

OH has just come out of hospital after having an infected elbow.

OH's uncle has just had diagnostic tests for cancer.

My sister has been seen for her MH issues.

My GP surgery was like fort knox before the covid situation and it is even worse now. My mum went to pick up a repeat prescription from the surgery's onsite pharmacy and the pharmacists were throwing the prescription bags at people from two metres away, despite the fact that they are dressed head to toe in PPE. Picking up your prescription has literally turned into a game of catch. I don't know how they are going to administer a vaccine. Dart gun maybe?

There are likely to be more vulnerable people in the surgery than there are in Asda. It’s about protecting the most vulnerable.

Oh totally! They just see Godzilla approaching whenever I walk up their drive to collect my blood vials (DH takes my bloods at home so that they don't have to. You're welcome, surgery). I collect them outside, through a slightly ajar window which I think they've mistaken for a murder hole.

MintyMabel where in Middle Earth are you?
It's still very much remote access where I live.