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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nasty receptionist re mask

85 replies

Maskymoo · 04/04/2022 17:36

I waddled (heavily pregnant) to my local GP to drop off some papers today. Due to health complications for both of my children and also the pregnancy, I have been to the doctor/hospital well in excess of 30/40 times during the pandemic. Every single time I have been asked to remove the mask I have and put on a fresh mask. So I’ve stopped taking a mask with me as they provide one at the door. Logical, and saves me a lot of washing/binning of masks etc as they are supposed to be one time wear.

Anyway in i waddle and no masks are out to take so I politely ask for one. Receptionist lays into me in a dramatic fashion about how can I not have one/they cost the nhs money etc etc. honestly I was pretty floored by this and didn’t even think about how it’s a learned behaviour of mine to not take one as they are never used/I’m told to replace them.

AIBU? What do other people’s GPs have them do? I’m trying to follow the rules and it felt pretty shitty to be reprimanded in this way/it’s never nice to be “told off” as a grown up and I’m interested in other people’s experience!

OP posts:
Innocenta · 04/04/2022 19:15

@Maskymoo it's proper ridiculous when you've come in by ambulance and someone is fussing about the mask, not because you're being difficult and refusing or anything, but because your mask is too high quality Grin

bellamountain · 04/04/2022 19:17

I swear people take certain jobs so they can tell others off all day. I include doctor receptionists in that, also Bouncers, Facebook admins. They love it!

kimlo · 04/04/2022 19:18

the only time I've been asked to change from mine is when I've been walking down to go to surgery. That was in 2 hospitals.

My gp, hospital appointments and on the wards have been fine with my own.

gogohm · 04/04/2022 19:19

We have to provide our own and have done throughout. I agree they shouldn't have to provide them but receptionist should be polite

BatshitCrazyWoman · 04/04/2022 19:20

I've never been asked to change my mask at a hospital - accompanied a disabled family member for his appointment and wore our own disposable masks. I've had a few doctor and hospital appointments recently, and sometimes, apart from staff, I'm the only one wearing a mask! Not been asked to change it though!

Zeewest · 04/04/2022 19:22

I was asked to change masks at hospitals but not at dentist/doctor. At my GP we advise people they have to wear a mask to enter the building. If they forget we can supply one but it comes out of the surgery budget not from the NHS.

elliejjtiny · 04/04/2022 19:24

I've only ever been asked to change my mask twice, at the first 2 covid vaccinations. All other times I was allowed to wear my cloth mask. Thank goodness for that as I really struggle with the disposable masks.

Seemssounfair · 04/04/2022 19:25

Have you been asked to change at your gp before or just hospital which is a completely different environment?

fishonabicycle · 04/04/2022 19:25

When we book appointments we ask people to wear a face covering, but we do have a pack at reception for anyone who forgets (not many to be honest). But I would never be rude to anyone!

thesootherfairy · 04/04/2022 19:27

Our local hospital and gp asks everyone to change masks for a fresh one.

Even if you have just pulled out a fresh disposal mask, you still have to change it and gel hands in between. Those are their rules.

No need to have a go at you OP. Really unnecessary. You could complain if you can manage it. Being pregnant and having a rough time might make it hard to find the energy though.

Dancer47 · 04/04/2022 19:30

I personally would not make any complaint about her. They have a horrible job at the moment. At my surgery, they have put out a plea on their website and Facebook page for people not to threaten their receptionists with violence at work, shout at them as they enter the building in the morning, and some have been followed home and threatened because the public don't feel they are being seen quickly. They are overworked and treated like shit by the public. No wonder they snap.

At my surgery, you still stand outside in the cold until you are let in and no-one but no-one is allowed through the door without a mask on.

Original poster
Maskymoo · 04/04/2022 19:33

@Innocenta

Bonkers logic!

OP posts:
Original poster
Maskymoo · 04/04/2022 19:35

@Seemssounfair

I’ve been asked to change at a different GP. And a paedatrician’s office - so not just hospitals. Actually my dentist asks us to change as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
Maskymoo · 04/04/2022 19:37

How much do the masks cost per mask. Does anybody know?

OP posts:
Mxflamingnoravera · 04/04/2022 19:44

I've been told to remove my mask and replace with medical grade masks in hospital and at my mum's care home- so I totally sympathise OP.

Giveitall · 04/04/2022 19:47

Whatever the reason NO receptionist should ever speak to a patient (or customer) as this obnoxious individual did to you.
In your shoes (& as a medical secretary) I’d complain to her Practice Manager.
Factually outline the event and your reasons for not arriving with mask to hand & then say How It Made You Feel. Eg Bullied, embarrassed, diminished and so on.
I was once treated rudely by a dental receptionist but I didn’t complain. Some time later I asked my dentist about her & was told they’d “let her go” aka sacked. I told my dentist how rude she had been to me & he responded that he wished I complained at the time because they were trying to build a case to get rid of her & my experience would have been helpful to have sacked her earlier!!

MurmuratingStarling · 04/04/2022 19:52

Sounds like a very rude and unpleasant jobsworth. Complain.

AuntieUrsula · 04/04/2022 19:53

I've never been asked to change masks at a hospital or GP so that's interesting. But definitely unreasonable to have a go at you for expecting there to be a mask provided if there always has been in the past!

At our doctor's you're theoretically supposed to wear a mask but none of the staff do, and maybe half the patients.

lljkk · 04/04/2022 19:59

Interesting to read these policies. good to know what might happen.
Our experience, 3 weeks ago... appt for teen dc

MIU: didn't say anything about our masks (cloth)

Orthopaedics at big hospital: told me to wear a surgical mask instead of my cloth one (I dug out an ancient one...)

Best wishes for rest of your pregnancy, OP.

AlwaysLatte · 04/04/2022 20:01

I go to the hospital every day and don't wear a mask since being told they're unsuitable and I need to use one of theirs. They can't have it both ways! Complain.

Spaghag · 04/04/2022 20:05

@MySecretHistory

I had the same on Friday Arrived mask free at gp and was basically accused of killing nhs staff

Gp didn’t have a mask on

What was their justification for that?

Masks are mandatory where I work but that means every member of staff too.

BackInBlackAgain · 04/04/2022 20:43

Weirdly I was a day patient last month in the local hospital, I wore my cloth mask, was never asked about it and wore it all day, even in theatre, was not asked to change it or anything.

And was never given a covid test either.

Orpheline · 04/04/2022 20:49

.

Seemssounfair · 04/04/2022 23:19

[quote Maskymoo]@Seemssounfair

I’ve been asked to change at a different GP. And a paedatrician’s office - so not just hospitals. Actually my dentist asks us to change as well.[/quote]
If you have never been been told to change mask at that gp yabu not to take one into that setting. You made an assumption that was wrong and easily avoided.

It is not a big deal, just keep a mask in your pocket.

Treeroo · 04/04/2022 23:24

Being polite works both ways surely