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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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?

147 replies

notnice · 17/12/2008 10:27

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
notnice · 17/12/2008 11:04

As I said.....

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 17/12/2008 11:04

yab-completely-unreasonable
the receptionist was doing her job and you were rude in the extreme.

TheFalconInThePearTree · 17/12/2008 11:04

Sorry but this is the wrong forum for sympathy and support.

And as I said the forum is called Am I Being Unreasonable?

edam · 17/12/2008 11:05

morningpaper - the OP didn't 'just' turn up, she tried to make a double appointment and couldn't get through. That's the practice's fault and the practice manager should know about it.

herbietea · 17/12/2008 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 17/12/2008 11:09

You'd have thought when 95% of people are saying YABU that the OP would maybe realise that she is.....instead she flounces.

sandcastles · 17/12/2008 11:09

Good luck bypassing the receptionists! Dr's don't tend to answer the phones!

And you will find that if you start trying to get both children seen in one slot too often [by not telling the receptionist that you need 2 appts] they will start to refuse you appointments.

They have allocations for a reason, you are not a dr therefore they cannot take your 'diagnosis' & that you think it will 'just take a few minutes'

In all honesty, they had every right to refuse to see you after your rude outburst. You should have accepted her explaination & you probably would have found that the Dr would have seen both the children anyway!

edam · 17/12/2008 11:10

I'm just (when I can drag myself away from MN) editing a paper on access to GP practices. There are plenty of practices which DO manage to answer the phones and organise their appointment systems to respond to demand. It can be done and clearly should be done.

FanjoForTheYuletideMammaries · 17/12/2008 11:11

Maybe the receptionist was having a bad day and had a sick kid too, and was spoken to like a piece of dirt by the OP because she thinks the world owes her a living..has happened to me several times!!

Tortington · 17/12/2008 11:11

the system is at fault here.

the receptionist works to the system - if she didn't she would be sacked.

i suspect his is to do with government targets? perhaps someone can explain in greater detail for you?

herbietea · 17/12/2008 11:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

elkiedee · 17/12/2008 11:14

Thing is, you actually got both kids seen as you wanted anyway, so don't understand the fuss. I admit that the last two times ds (19 months) has been ill we've just taken him in first thing and been given emergency appts within half an hour or so, I think they keep a few free for that purpose. But I wouldn't shout at the receptionist or think she was deliberately being unpleasant if she said sorry, can't help. I don't think the fact that the doctor was able to deal with both kids in the 10 minute appointment meant the receptionist was wrong, that's a judgement she's not in a position to make.

sandcastles · 17/12/2008 11:15

Also, the trouble is that they allocate a certain amount of slots for call on the day pt's. Rarely are there 2 slots together, in all fairness!

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 17/12/2008 11:15

oh dear what a situation. OP I appreciate you are having a bad day. Take a seat with a cup of tea and a bicci and calm down. Its not nice but sadly if thats the way they do things at the practice there is not much you can do about it. By all means contact the practice manager, thats what they are there fore but I have to agree with the fact that the receptionist was right as she cannot override the computer system.
I know in our practice the do a phone triage system first thing in the morning so that you can ALWAYS speak to a DR on the day if nothing else. They if you need to be seen they will book you in immediately according to the urgency.

kekouan · 17/12/2008 11:16

YABU - why can't you just book a double appoitment.

edam · 17/12/2008 11:16

The 48 hour target has indeed fucked things up because some practices have chosen to respond by making it bloody hard for people to book in advance. Or forced people to queue outside for same-day appointments.

The reason she couldn't get through is that the practice hasn't organised reception to meet demand. Which is a poor show. Plenty of other practices manage it.

Must go and edit this paper!

edam · 17/12/2008 11:16

kekouan - read the thread, she TRIED and was foiled!

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 17/12/2008 11:21

eek thats what they are there for....spelling gone mad

oh and I must admit that last night took ds into see dr's and asked if he would just look at dd's ears to see if they were red as she was a bit 'luggy'. He was so accomodating and helped us out. Admittedly it was a single appt and only for ds but it was at the dr's discretion and he was lovely about it

daydreambeliever · 17/12/2008 11:23

Well I think YANBU. The receptionist should have used her commonsense, and stuck her neck out to try and help you get both dc seen at once. What a palaver. Thing is, everyone waiting for an 'appointment' knows the booking system has to be a bit flexible, because other peoples needs are unpredictable, so of course if you had made every effort to book a double slot but couldnt, well they should just fit you in. What a shame that you had to argue with her just to get them both seen,

OrmIrian · 17/12/2008 11:24

You are shocked that people disagreed with you? Oh well... you are easily shocked then.

FanjoForTheYuletideMammaries · 17/12/2008 11:27

people ascribe such powers to receptionists,.....we don't make the decisions!!!

FanjoForTheYuletideMammaries · 17/12/2008 11:29

If I "used my common sense and stuck my neck out to get two people into one space" the dentist would say no and be annoyed, tbh

bozza · 17/12/2008 11:34

The OP is being a bit disingenous in continually referring to two sick children and then also trying to get an early appt because one is going to school. Not that sick then?

sandcastles · 17/12/2008 11:36

FanjoForTheYuletideMammaries, here here! A collegue did this & the dentist did refuse to see both on the principle that it was HE who treated them, therefore HIS choice who gets seen in the alloted time!

babylovessanta · 17/12/2008 11:39

YANBU. I hope your DC feel better soon. Doctors' receptionists are a rare breed.