To NOT expect doctors receptionist to tell me to come back an hour later as the doctor could not see both my children at the same time?

[notnice]

My doctors have a new phone system which you book appointments through. I booked an appointment for DD2 and then tried to book an appointment for DD1 at the same time - the booking system was playing up. I tried to ring and speak to someone but the phone line was constantly engaged and I needed to make the appointment I had booked. DD2 has a chest infection and is being sick and DD1 has an ear infection. I turned up at the doctors and explained that they both needed to be seen, receptionist told me I'd have to bring DD1 back an hour later which would mean dragging them both home and then out again. I said that the doctor would need to see them both as there is no way I was coming back - she said he could only do this if appointmant available which it was'nt - I said that he WOULD be seeing them both. I am pregnant too BTW. When I went into to see the doctor - he said it was no problem too see them both and was very nice as always. AIBU? I feel bad now even though the receptionist was in the wrong.

Hope your kids are better soon Notnice

Thanks random.

Yabu with regards to the receptionist. She's just doing her job and following the rules laid out to her. Is it annoying for you, yes. But it's her job, therfore not her fault.

You were lucky to have an understanding doctor who checked them both, I know some in my surgery that wouldn't have.

Fail to see why you being pregnant is an issue in this, unless I've missed something.

I'd be very surprised if a computerised system would let you book anything other than a standard appointment - so as soon as you booked for your first DC I would almost 100% guarantee that any available appointments either side of your first DC's appointment would already be taken or be otherwise unavailable

You need to talk to the IT people, the doctor was "nice" to you, but what about every other patient who was delayed because of your unbooked double appointment?

Thanks for your sympathy as I sadi hope you don't find yourself in this situation and being pregnant - nothing at all.

The receptionist will have been told by the dr/drs to arrange one appointment per person so she did nothing wrong.

Once you're in the dr;s room it's rather awkward for him to tell you no you'll have to make another appointment,so he would most likely see you. But there is a protocol that should generally be followed.

mm

I was in there for the allocated time - 10 minutes - so we never held anyone up.

What a load of tosh - common sense to see two siblings together - regardless of delays it MAY cause.

Especially when one is being sick in the waiting room.

I understand it is difficult for you
but think of everyone else waiting in the waiting room
there might have been a pregnant woman with 2 ill children having to wait an extra half an hour

It is common sense yes, but it isn't reasonable to delay other patients over it.

I know you didn't go past the 10 minutes but it is easy to do so.

And as another poster mentioned,you do tend to find only odd appointment times available and not two in a row as they are booked up so quickly.

I think the point is notnice did TRY to book a double appointment but was foiled by the IT system and unable to get through on the phone. The practice is at fault.

Well that is their problem and not mine as far as two appointments together.

Being preg & two sick kids is hard work.

Having to take one sick kid out is bad enough but twice is hard on the mum & the sick children.

I've been in the waiting room & been asked if someone could go before me and I have been happy to help someone whose need was greater than mine. I got seen a bit later but so what if you have to wait a bit longer. Notnice didn't even take longer.

I am signing off now as I am shocked at the lack of empathy and crap spoken by alot of you. Thank you to those who were actually sympathetic.

People do say it isn't their problem, which is probably true however sometimes it is physically impossible to find two appointments together.
I can remember often looking at our computer system and seeing the following two or three weeks being fully booked with not a single slot left.

I certainly don't miss my medical receptionist days.

You didn't ask for sympathy, you asked if YWBU, and I still think YABU, the receptionist was doing her job, you were all seen, so all is good.

I don't see the point of complaining to the practice manager - you didn't get through to ASK to make a double-appointments, you just turned up with your child. And I fail to see why you are worried about her missing school when she has an ear infection - she should be resting at home if that is the case.

Bye

Don't you just love it when people flounce when other posters dare to disagree.

It's called AIBU? emphasis on the question mark, not I'm perfectly reasonable so post about how you agree with me.

If you're not prepared to not have everyone agree with you don't post on AIBU!

Falcon

I bet you suited being a doctor's receptionist - you have the right mentality.

yes and TALONS

dearie me what a kerfuffle

OFFS. Look it is called AIBU so if you post in this forum you have to accept the possibility that you'll be told YABU. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

You can have a hard day & need some virtual support - even in the aibu section. People can disagree but on this one the op wasn't being unreasonable as she's preg with two sick kids. Many of use will know what a hard job this will be.