To think we should provide face masks?

[BlueBlue22]

Hello.

Posting here because I can't find a definitive answer anywhere.

I am a receptionist in a GP surgery. As face mask rules have relaxed, many patients come to their face to face appointments without a mask. I got told off (in front of a colleague, but that's not the main issue) for attempting to provide a mask to someone with a GP appointment. The Practice Manager said the masks we have are only for staff and patients will have to come with a mask or get refused entry.

Now since then I have discovered that the practice should be getting 600 face masks and 100 visors FREE from the government every week. My question is, are the masks supposed to be for staff AND visitors or just staff?

I have a big problem with turning patients away for not having a mask. I'd rather give them a mask to wear. What if they are coming to have a lump examined and then don't come back for their appointment? I know it's their responsibility but some people have anxiety issues and all sorts of problems that are a barrier to seeking help in the first place. An argument with a member of staff over the intercom might just tip them over the edge. Surely it's easier just to say "you need to wear a mask in this setting, here's a mask for you".

I just feel the Practice Manager is putting penny-pinching above patient care and it doesn't sit well with me.

Everyone at work knows what happened due to gossip and I don't think I did anything wrong. Yes I am going to look for another job. I just wondered if this is the same in all GP practices. Or is my manager denying face masks to patients despite government providing them for patients.

If someone asks for one then yes you should provide one. Our surgery has them in the vestibule free for anyone to take. I wouldn't be going to a gp practice without one though.

Inagree one hundred percent with ypu

Of course....my work stipulates face masks still. They are at the door
As you walk in...boxes and boxes of them!!

You're right to give them out, a missed appointment is far more expensive all round than handing out a face mask!

I agree with you also. Missed appointments cost the NHS more than a face mask. The GPs should be able to set the practice manager straight. They won’t stand for patients being turned away and creating an even larger backlog.

Aside from the question in the OP, you have 100 visors provided by the government every week? Things that are of absolutely no benefit whatsoever (in terms of Covid)?

These aren't free. Taxpayers are funding them. Meanwhile essential services are in hugely short supply and waiting lists lengthen :(

@BlueBlue22

Hello.

Posting here because I can't find a definitive answer anywhere.

I am a receptionist in a GP surgery. As face mask rules have relaxed, many patients come to their face to face appointments without a mask. I got told off (in front of a colleague, but that's not the main issue) for attempting to provide a mask to someone with a GP appointment. The Practice Manager said the masks we have are only for staff and patients will have to come with a mask or get refused entry.

Now since then I have discovered that the practice should be getting 600 face masks and 100 visors FREE from the government every week. My question is, are the masks supposed to be for staff AND visitors or just staff?

I have a big problem with turning patients away for not having a mask. I'd rather give them a mask to wear. What if they are coming to have a lump examined and then don't come back for their appointment? I know it's their responsibility but some people have anxiety issues and all sorts of problems that are a barrier to seeking help in the first place. An argument with a member of staff over the intercom might just tip them over the edge. Surely it's easier just to say "you need to wear a mask in this setting, here's a mask for you".

I just feel the Practice Manager is putting penny-pinching above patient care and it doesn't sit well with me.

Everyone at work knows what happened due to gossip and I don't think I did anything wrong. Yes I am going to look for another job. I just wondered if this is the same in all GP practices. Or is my manager denying face masks to patients despite government providing them for patients.

I don't think being a gp receptionist is for you op.

Far too much common sense, compassion and willingness to help the patients.

And that's before we start on actually facilitating them seeing a Doctor!

The masks provided to my GP surgery are for people attending appointments

The Practice Manager should no longer be one in my opinion.

100% with you on this one. Just give him or her the latest Covid stats, cases up 36% in a week.

I'm in Scotland but every medical setting I've attended for this pregnancy so far (two hospitals and a GP's office) has had a box of masks at reception/front door and they actually ask you to swap to one of their masks instead of wearing your own.

You are 100% right, a GP surgery of all places should absolutely provide masks.

It was hard enough remembering your mask when you leave the house before, when you had to bring a mask everywhere you went, but now that they're not compulsory in shops anymore I find it's much harder to remember to bring one.

And you are so right, there are people who might have spent ages plucking up the courage to go to the doctor's and if they get turned away they might not come back.
Or someone who's got a symptom they don't think is anything serious but their spouse/mum/children have hassled them into making an appointment, they get turned away, think "ah, I can't be bothered coming back, it's only a silly complaint" and it turns out to be more serious.

What a petty thing to turn someone away for.

You know what, I'd even be tempted to bring in my own personal supply to hand out, if you get told off again.

Your practice manager is being absurd. Why does she think staff need 600 masks a week and why does she think it's ok to turn away people need a GP appointment and waste appointments?

Maybe they need to leave the NHS...

My GP has a box of them by the door. My last appointment was a little while ago but they asked me to swap my fabric one for one of theirs.

Thanks for your replies. I agree this is not the job role for me.

It's good to know what other GP practices do, as this is something I can bring up if anything else is said to me about what I did "wrong".