To tell doctors receptionist I was correct in what I said.

[ponyexpress22]

A while ago we had a letter through the post informing us that our GP was resigning. We were given a list of 3 gps who we could apply to. However none of them were taking on new patients so we got assigned one.

When I phoned up to make contact with new one I mentioned that our old doctor had resigned. She answered me very harshly and said "he's retired not resigned." It was like she thought I was implying something distasteful? I apologized and said "sorry I meant retired". So when I got home I reread the letter and I was right. It did say "resigned". Why was she insistent that he'd retired, and should I just forget it? Sorry if it seems trivial. Aibu?

I probably won't bother saying anything. But if I did, I wouldn't have made a phone call or dropped in specially for that. She'd have thought I was crazy.
I'd have just dropped it into conversation next time I'm in there.

I should just forget it shouldn't I. yes you're overthinking it. Be happy for your GP and move on.

Our GP receptionists are wonderful

She thought she was right. You know you were right. What would be gained by pointing out out to her? The only reason to point out her error would yo to out her down. Why bother? Better to rise above it and move on

@TheKeatingFive

Just forget it.

Drs receptionists are a notoriously prickly bunch, but I don’t know what you’d achieve. Shes unlikely to admit she was wrong.

Maybe it was the letter that was wrong.

I'd have just dropped it into conversation next time I'm in there.

But why?

I can't imagine being that petty that I would wait potentially months just to correct her.

@ponyexpress22

I probably won't bother saying anything. But if I did, I wouldn't have made a phone call or dropped in specially for that. She'd have thought I was crazy. I'd have just dropped it into conversation next time I'm in there.

I think even dropping it in would be really quite odd!

I suspect you weren't right but the community health team made a typo and the receptionist is pissed off with people saying he resigned (which has negative connotations)

It could have been a typo on the letter.
I'd forget about it.

Get over it

I would be tempted to as l typically find them obnoxious and condescending. It would be amusing to have proof lm right, as they always think they are

@ponyexpress22

I probably won't bother saying anything. But if I did, I wouldn't have made a phone call or dropped in specially for that. She'd have thought I was crazy. I'd have just dropped it into conversation next time I'm in there.

She'd have entirely forgotten the conversation by then (she probably already has) and she certainly wouldn't have remembered it was with you.

But I get it. It's horrible to have someone snap at you when you'd done nothing wrong. I'm a bit of a dweller, too. But I've learned to know when it's a far bigger deal to me then to the other person!

@Whinge

I'd have just dropped it into conversation next time I'm in there.

But why?

I can't imagine being that petty that I would wait potentially months just to correct her.

Me neither. I can't believe you are giving it headspace, tbh. It probably wouldn't have even registered with most people, and then, if it did, it just isn't normal to hang on to it and think about correcting her whether that is calling in, phoning, or bringing it up months later

I've yet to meet a nice Doctors receptionist.

and I've yet to meet one that hasn't been either perfectly nice, or, in the main part, very helpful and kind.

Ok do you weren’t wrong the letter said resigned so you can tell yourself your right . If telling the receptionist how do you think the conversation will go ? It’ll be awkward and odd so just let it go .

The letter is probably wrong. The distinction is important. Many patients may want to mark a GPs retirement , if they feel he/ she has given them a good service and they have known the GP over a few years. Some patients may be upset. A bit different if it’s a resignation and sometimes then people are more interested in trying to find out the gory details.
Many doctors are retiring in their mid fifties because if their pension pot goes above a certain level they get very heavily taxed on it and lose money. It has meant that the NHS has lost experienced doctors who might otherwise have stayed on . It was happening before the pandemic.

YANBU to be privately reeeally irritated (this would wind me up, too), but think about it - if you go back to correct her, your card will be marked forever! You may never be able to get an appointment again!

Seriously though, don't do it. It's the sort of thing Larry David would do in Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Well technically resignation applies to leaving any post, so when retiring a GP would need to resign, so the letter is not incorrect. Therefore the receptionist is incorrect in saying the GP did not resign he retired as he did both. Whoever sent the letter may have been mindful that many recently 'retired' professionals do take on other roles part time, such as locum, private work or consultancy so using the term 'retiring' may have not been considered to be appropriate.

I am retired and handed in my resignation when I planned to leave. There is no longer a retirement age or requirement to finish working at state pension age. I worked past mine and deferred taking state pension for a year.

It is really weird to still be thinking about this now.

@ponyexpress22 I get why you're a bit annoyed, but I said YABU, because this is quite trivial.

As has been said, GP receptionists are notoriously snippy and prickly, possibly because of the way they are spoken to by people in their day to day work. I have to say though, my current GP receptionists are lovely. 8 of them there are, and they are all lovely. But most of them are a bit frosty in many other GP surgeries.

OP I feel for you, this is exactly the sort of thing I get stupidly het up about. In fact, something quite similar happened just this afto.
Anyway,I digress;

Bright pink highlighter.

Highlight the word.

Sneak out at dead of night in balaklava, false beard etc and post anonymously through door in envelope marked 'Reception'

Slink off back into the darkness from whence you came.

Job done, and doubtful she will know its you.

Unless letter has your name/address on it, if so, scrap the above plan.

I'd let it go, lots of doctors receptionists are gorgons and on a huge power trip. It doesn't really matter why your GP left, the important thing is that you are now registered with a new one.

Jesus get a life. No wonder gp receptionists are so grumpy if they have to put up with people banging on about trivial crap like this. I’ll remember to be extra nice to them next fine to make up for all this rubbish they have to deal with.

I’m a doctors receptionist!!! 🤣 I’m lovely and genuinely enjoy helping patients! I’ve now got a place on a paramedic science degree course but always loved my receptionist role. I think patients perceive us to be unhelpful but it is a very stressful, fast paced job with so many extra things we have to do in a shift that i don’t think people realise. But I always endeavour to be polite and helpful as that’s what we are there for!

I have 2 lovely thoughtful daughters , DD1 is a practice manager in a large surgery , DD2 is a receptionist in a different practice .
The point I am making here is that the way some of the general public speak to my DDs' is downright disgusting , I would go as far as to say that some people are telephone bullies. It is little wonder that at times that the receptionists are less than pleasant when people are so demanding when in fact they are only carrying out their duties in accordance with their employers guidelines . It's not the first time tears have been shed when someone has been particularly nasty with their swearing and threatening behaviour . Thankfully most people are pleasant

I was told off by my line manager for telling a client that somebody had retired now. Apparently I should just have said ''she doesn't work here anymore''. So most people I have now learnt consider retiring more sensitive information than resigning.

I don't know why the receptionist bothered to correct you!

I would just let it go.

You've no idea what may have gone on behind the scenes. There could be drama and emotion you don't know of.