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Original poster

Is there such a thing as a reasonable, well-adjusted, non-dysfunction, normal f***king doctor's receptionist?

107 replies

Caligula · 23/05/2006 16:24

Or is that a myth like King Arthur will return when Britain is in great danger?

DS has been ill all day. Can I see my GP? No, I have to phone the out of hours emergency service and drive 8 miles. Even though the surgery is open, and I've said I don't mind waiting for a gap when someone turns up. The costs to the environment is irrelevant; the fact that if I didn't have a car and it would cost me £20 is irrelevant; the fact that I'm supposed to have a personal bloody relationship with my GP and the government keeps telling me that I need a GP because of a personal bloody relationship that doesn't exist, is irrelevant.

Why do I need a GP at all, if I can never see him? Why can't I just go to any old doctor? I just hate this gatekeeper system, and I hate the f*ing bitch who considers herself the gatekeeper to the doctor, even more. Angry Seriously, every single time I have asked to see a doctor when this woman is on duty, I have been refused. It must be some kind of record. I wouldn't mind if I could just go to the out of hours service every time, because I don't like my doctor anyway, particularly, and would much prefer to keep any doctor I ever see at arms length (personal relationship my arse) but no, they tell me I have to see my GP when he's open. They're really annoyed (with me, not with the receptionist) that I'm coming to see them when my GP's surgery is open.

Ah, feel better now I've got that off my chest. Grin

OP posts:
spacecadet · 23/05/2006 16:28

my old local gps surgery used to tell you to go to accident and emergency, there was one receptionist who if you phoned and asked for an urgent appt, she would say, is it urgent for today..grr..used to feel like saying, er no, its not urgent at all, i just felt like saying it.

hana · 23/05/2006 16:29

nope

suejonez · 23/05/2006 16:29

nope

motherinferior · 23/05/2006 16:30

One of ours is a sweetie, I vaguely remember. I should have her stuffed, shouldn't I.

SaintGeorge · 23/05/2006 16:32

We are really lucky at our surgery since they brought in changes to the system.

All appts are offered for the same day if it is for a child, 90% of them if it is for an adult.You don't have any choice in which doctor you see though (group practice).

It is actually harder to get pre-booked appts with a specific doc. They try to persuade you to come in the same day and see someone else instead.

Mercy · 23/05/2006 16:32

My previous GP had 2 fantastic receptionists - but then he retired and the pratice closed down Sad

Ay my current pratice, the receptionist is also the GP's wife. I can't even begin to describe what she can be like (although to be fair I can usually get an appointment the same or next day)

wrinklytum · 23/05/2006 16:33

I think receptionists go to a "how to be as supercilious and unhelpful as possible" training day.(APOLOGIES TO ANY NICE ONES OUT THERE) dd had an awful wheezy coughy chest so rang up drs.Receptionist informed me there were no appointments until JULY !!!! (GP has been poorly). To cut a long story short after a long battle eventually got to see locum and turns out dd has broncholitis poor mite.Then locum had prescribed wrong dose of ventolin syrup (4X to much) luckily pharmacist spotted this lovely man.

bundle · 23/05/2006 16:35

yes. my mum is one and is very nice Smile

also - my own surgery has lovely receptionists.

expatinscotland · 23/05/2006 16:38

If there is, I haven't met him/her.

I have also met only 4 GPs who weren't a complete waste of space and time - out of a lot. And one of them went back to Australia and the other back to New Zealand after their locums finished. Incidentally, all but one was a woman.

Like you, I phone the out of hours/NHS Direct every time the kids fall ill. I don't even bother to ring the surgery anymore, b/c I'll never get an appointment, and if I did, it'd be w/one of those wasters.

katierocket · 23/05/2006 16:38

One of ours is nice, the rest are scary.

Heathcliffscathy · 23/05/2006 16:39

haven't read anything but the subject heading and short answer ime is no!

off to read the rest now

JanH · 23/05/2006 16:41

All of ours have always been helpful and pleasant Smile

expatinscotland · 23/05/2006 16:43

Ours always want to know your business. Well, I wouldn't be phoning up a doctor if I didn't need one, ffs.

I just give them a miss entirely.

chapsmum · 23/05/2006 16:45

I belive that the receptionist you seek guard the chicken pox virus in a cave in wales unfortunatlyGrin

Pruni · 23/05/2006 17:01

I know exactly what you mean. Ours can be seen moving oh, about three feet from the desk and talking about you/your problem/how inconvenient you're being.
Took ds in with bronchiolitis, he had a bit of a relapse in the surgery and was really going rather blue. We had to physically wave him in front of the receptionist for her to take any notice of us saying he was in need of a doctor now.

Pruni · 23/05/2006 17:03

I have had the pleasure of handing the same receptionist a jar of warm pee wrapped in tin foil and saying - in a very death's door sort of way - "I cannot possibly work out what to do with this but the dr rang me to say he wants it immediately." Actually, no wonder she hates me.

SoupDragon · 23/05/2006 17:03

My GP surgery is fantastic. Doctors, nurses and receptionists

Jzee · 23/05/2006 17:06

Nope! Mine is abrupt, narky, stroppy, impatient, miserable,stressed, and obviously hates her job!

expatinscotland · 23/05/2006 17:08

My fav is when they ask, 'Why do you want to see a doctor?'

Gees, I dunno, b/c my car's been acting up and it's really getting me down. Does he pay for sex? B/c I'm sure you know all his secrets, and if he does, well, I could use some money . . .

I was looking to have to make up time at work, pay money to get a bus over there, and maybe pick up an infectious disease in the waiting room. Just for want of something better to do.

handlemecarefully · 23/05/2006 17:09

Ours are helpful...

Yours sounds obstructive and evil

serenity · 23/05/2006 17:15

My Mum was a very nice GP receptionist, but she got so hacked off with the other receptionists/GPs/stroppy ill people that she left Grin

acnebride · 23/05/2006 17:20

pruni, do you come to the surgery i work at i wonder? please complain about the 3 feet away discussion thing because it drives me nuts and i have no authority to tell people off Sad

moondog · 23/05/2006 17:23

Letter of complaint might ease your anger a little Cal (if you have the energy...)
Silly bitch

Piffle · 23/05/2006 17:26

I now ask to see the nurse practitioner - you never get asked why you want to see her, you always get in same day, you do not have to call and face an engaged tone and ringback for 35 mins only to be told all appts are gone... she is always on time, less stressed, less time constraints and she always just pops next door to get the doc to have a look.

bummer · 23/05/2006 17:29

Our docs receptionist IS a lovely lady, a mother herself who bends over backwards to help and will tell you exactly how it is and offer you a choice. She will even manage to get you an appointment in advance if you need it. She is always saying, "I know just what you mean" or "You wouldn't be phoning if you couldn't get through". To be honest though, she always warns you not to try phoning during the first 30 mins of them opening as she is so busy and must get a cup of coffee to set her up for the next hour or so. However, she does advise you to pop in at any time and she will get you an appointment as soon as possible, sometimes she says people get stuck in traffic and a window of opportunity arises... Oh... sorry... just woken up and found myself typing in my sleep Sad Sorry!

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