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.

The OP seens to have done what any parent should do and has but the needs of her children before red tape and jobsworths.

I work as a nurse practitioner and see about 80% of kids at practice for minor illness works well keeps docs free good feedback from parents keep tissues vomit bowls and toys to ready.
I have 15 book on day appointments and happy to see 3 members of family in 2 appointments tbh as a mum I realise impossible to have 2 appointments 1 hour apart
Saying that some people come in every week need social support and chat not ill!
galaxy

"the needs of her children before red tape and jobsworths"

surely that should read "before everyone else in the world as she thinks she has a god given right to"
not "red tape and jobsworths"

Oh no the social support and chat must be annoying!

mayor

I think she had every right as anybody would in that situation. Empathy?

Most of the receptionists that I deal with are jobsworths, she sounds one too. Common sense goes out the window in those sort of environments, all she had to do was buzz the doctor and explain the situation.

Finally we have sensible posts. BTW YANBU at all.

Not before everyone else no. But why do doctors have such blatantly discrimantory systems in place.

My doctors is fab. You phone up, speak to a real person, the receptioninsht check with the Dr or nursee if they are unsure and get you in as soon as they can.

I had a prob with ds a couple of months ago and had such good treatemtnt from the DR, nurse and receptioninsts (nurse even phoned round all the chemists in the area in an attempt to source alternative antiobitics to try and prevent hospital admission that I emailed the practice manager to comend them.

This system however souinds pants an dI would probably have done exactly the same as the OP.

mayor

Can I just say BAAAAAAAAAA.

She did try to get 2 appointments - have you read OP?

Who would feel gracious with a DC throwing up, another sick child, being pregnant, a rude receptionist and a ridiculous system?

Yes but if the SYSTEM does not allow you to book double appointments then what else can anyone, not just the OP do.

There should be a system in place that allows for these things. If not then the system shoudl be changed.

I'm assuming that if, when she booked she had been told that she could only have 2 appts together 1 hour later then that would have been fine. It was the fact that she or no-one else could physically book 2 appointments together ever, at all no matter what.

why was the receptionist rude for not making a double appointment when she was not allowed to? [sheesh]

The receptionist could have spoke to the doctor about the situation.

or indeed a "jobsworth".??

I have been called rude and aggressive before because I couldn't refund someone's failed appointment charge, because the dentist had applied it and expected me to take it!!

EMPATHY?????

maybe it wasn't the first time the situation had arisen and she had been told not to make double appointments?

you are sadly mistaken if you think they just let receptionists loose to arrange the appointments as they see fit, we are mere mouthpieces of the doctors/dentists, I'm afraid!!

how do you know she didn't have empathy? I have had immense empathy for people before but still been forced to charge them or refuse them appointments, as it was not up to me! Doesn't mean I didn't have empathy.

And yes they shouted and blamed me, even
though I'd have loved to make the appt/remove the charge.

Yes - so why did'nt she ask the doctor. If she has'nt go the common sense to deal with this sort of situation prehaps she is in the wrong job?

Empathy was aimed at you lot who are being rather mean.

Anyway - I am retreating as I feel the bun fighting is starting, not my style!