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Original poster

To complain about receptionist

94 replies

TEH82 · 23/01/2022 11:19

So yesterday I ate something while out in my car (piece of fruit) and my eyes instantly swelled up. I was 2 mins from local minor injuries so went there and the bell to be let in. By this time my breathing was rapid and I was dizzy so I rang the bell again as was scared. The receptionist come out and shouted at me for ringing twice between gasps I said I have previous history of severe reactions (never with this fruit) and my chest was tight and it’s hard to breathe.
The receptionist tutted and let me in and told me to sit down and went back to her desk and started discussing her coffee break with another receptionist. The panic and sense of doom had set in so I got up and walked through to where I knew the nurses were and the receptionist shouted me to sit down and wait my turn. Thankfully the nurses were amazing and one look at me they put me in resus, gave oxygen, 1 min observations and needed 2 doses of adrenaline as airways were closing and my arms locked and were burning where I didn’t have enough oxygen in my body.
I am just upset the way the receptionist was if I hadn’t walked through it’s could of been a very different outcome

OP posts:
RedBeetroot12 · 23/01/2022 12:33

She needs more training to deal with medical emergencies… bloody hell. They should do a BLS training session each year to recognise and manage these situations safely!!

RedBeetroot12 · 23/01/2022 12:34

It’s not just for medical staff but for the whole medical team including receptionist in these situations, definitely raise your concerns

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 23/01/2022 12:34

Please do complain. She should have taken your information immediately and let someone know what symptoms you were experiencing. She needs a kick up the arse

GrapefruitPink · 23/01/2022 12:35

Christ yes complain 100%.

cheninblanc · 23/01/2022 12:35

Absolutely complain. She needs some urgent retraining, I manage clinic receptionists and this needs addressing

Lovemylittlebear · 23/01/2022 12:36

That’s horrendous!!!! Complain.

During last Christmas lockdown I went to minor injuries due to accident whilst very pregnant and higher risk on steroids - needed finger dressing and checking for infection. Parent and older child came in (no mask) and listed Covid symptoms as reason for going in 🤦‍♀️ ffs. Receptionist then said - do you have any Covid symptoms? I wanted to shout FFS she just listed all three. Mother said yes I think she has it. She then asked her to sit right behind me (no windows open). I then called over (would have been right next to child to walk to desk) after a minute of panicking that I would need to leave as I’m higher risk with Covid (had been there in room by self for two hours waiting already) . She then decided to ask them to put mask on and walk past me to a side room and that she would ask nurse. Would turned round and said FFS tell her to go home and ring the number so that if she needs seeing she could go into the appropriate A and E for suspected Covid. Honestly the mind BOGGLES sometimes.

CrotchetyQuaver · 23/01/2022 12:37

Complain and suggest the receptionist undergoes some additional training about anaphylactic reactions and that they are a medical emergency. That should not have happened. Did she even tell the medical staff you were there?

Sideswiped · 23/01/2022 12:39

I just don't understand why we are still expected to put up with this.
I've been off work for a while and have a diagnosis, but my GP wants me to get checked by a neurologist. I need bloods done first. I went to the surgery to my blood appointment to be told the nurse had to leave 'to get something checked'. Fair enough, things happen. So I asked to re-book the appointment.
The receptionist told me they had nothing available for a month. When I pointed out that I needed the appointment for my referral, magically there was an appointment available in five days time. Clearly, to her untrained eye, she made a decision that I could wait... Hmm

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 23/01/2022 12:42

@Sideswiped

I just don't understand why we are still expected to put up with this. I've been off work for a while and have a diagnosis, but my GP wants me to get checked by a neurologist. I need bloods done first. I went to the surgery to my blood appointment to be told the nurse had to leave 'to get something checked'. Fair enough, things happen. So I asked to re-book the appointment. The receptionist told me they had nothing available for a month. When I pointed out that I needed the appointment for my referral, magically there was an appointment available in five days time. Clearly, to her untrained eye, she made a decision that I could wait... Hmm
No, there are different appt slots for different things. There are slots for 'urgent bloods' and 'routine bloods'. She defo should have asked why you needed the bloods to make a decision on which appt slot would be more appropriate, but she wasnt medically assessing you.
Itsalmostanaccessory · 23/01/2022 12:45

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

A child died in an A&E waiting room a few months ago. Parents begged for help. Were ignored. So no, A&E doesnt guarantee help in time. And it is the same problem. The gatekeepers making decisions they are night qualified to make.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 23/01/2022 12:46

[quote Itsalmostanaccessory]@Letsallscreamatthesistene

A child died in an A&E waiting room a few months ago. Parents begged for help. Were ignored. So no, A&E doesnt guarantee help in time. And it is the same problem. The gatekeepers making decisions they are night qualified to make.[/quote]
Did I say A+E guarantees help?

Original poster
TEH82 · 23/01/2022 13:10

No she didn’t tell anyone I was there- she walked ahead and pointed at a chair and then started discussing who was going for coffee break first with the other admin/ receptionist sat at the desk and I continued to hear her discuss this as I sat down and was sat there when I got up and walked through the doors for help

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 23/01/2022 13:12

@TEH82

No she didn’t tell anyone I was there- she walked ahead and pointed at a chair and then started discussing who was going for coffee break first with the other admin/ receptionist sat at the desk and I continued to hear her discuss this as I sat down and was sat there when I got up and walked through the doors for help
Really bad. 100% complain.
hashbrownsandwich · 23/01/2022 13:14

I work in clinical but also do a stint each week on reception.

Please make a complaint.

This shouldn't have happened and thankfully you are ok but it needs to be documented and learnt from.

IntermittentParps · 23/01/2022 13:15

Very firm formal complaint. That's not acceptable.

WonderfulYou · 23/01/2022 13:33

Complain. Complain. Complain.

You’re only ok as you knew where to walk to find the nurses - the next person might not be so lucky.

WonderfulYou · 23/01/2022 13:35

I’m also surprised the other receptionist didn’t say anything either.

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/01/2022 13:46

Thank goodness you’re ok. Definitely a stiff, official complaint. Vile woman. You could have died.

EmpressSuiko · 23/01/2022 13:52

OP did you have your epi pens with you? In future you need to ring 999, they will guide you through it and help you administer the epi pens.
I know you were near a walk in but you had such a severe reaction you needed immediate attention.
I would also complain about the way you were treated but please if there is ever a next time ring 999 immediately! I also have severe allergies and recently had to use my epi pen, it was stressed to me to always ring 999 straight away and to did my epi pen immediately if it ever happens again.

Cherrysherbet · 23/01/2022 13:55

Jeez that’s awful op. Please complain 💐

MayThePawsBeWithYou · 23/01/2022 13:59

Definitely complain, I bet she got the right willies when the ambulance turned up but has probably covered her arse saying you were fine when you came in. Everyone working in that environment should have BLS training and recognise emergencies.

Loveisthere · 23/01/2022 14:01

Op glad you are ok now but you really must complain that behaviour is just not right. As pp has stated complain to the hospital but also your MP. I hope the receptionist is dismissed immediately

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 23/01/2022 14:04

Tbh as the nurse id complain in this situation....

GreenClock · 23/01/2022 14:05

Complain OP - for the sake of the next person who receives shoddy, high-handed treatment but doesn’t have the minerals to be assertive.

You can pretty much copy and paste your post to the complaint email, it’ll take five minutes.

Hope you’re feeling better now.

MrsMarshmallow65 · 23/01/2022 14:17

Complain. I hope she's gets sacked and that you fee better soon , horrific thing to happen!