Date of birth in Reception

[Workinghardeveryday]

Bugs life out of me.

Go to doctors, waiting room full of people, receptionist asks for your date of birth for the whole room to hear.

I don’t want everyone sat there knowing how old I am thank you.

In a world that is data protection crazy, how is this okay?

I feel like it’s an intrusion of privacy. So the whole room now knows my full name, address and dob!!!

I hate giving my address at the local pharmacy

I can't imagine anyone in the doctors waiting room gives a flying toss how old you are to be honest!

I am more bothered when I am trying to explain discreetly why I need appointment and receptionists feel the need to deputy it back at me so that thr while world now knows why I want/need a doctors appointment

I agree and even more so my full name and title flashing up on screen when it's appointment time (thankfully one thing that no longer happens since the pandemic as there are no appointment) and especially having to give out my address.

I really wouldn't worry about this. I have heard loads of names, ages, addresses over the years when at hospitals, drs, collecting prescriptions, etc, but couldn't tell you what they were. People just don't pay attention.

The woman in front of me in the queue for covid vaccines gave her date of birth at the desk and it was EXACTLY THE SAME AS Mine. Weird.

One of my DCs has a name that literally only exists among elderly people so I have to give their DOB all the time (very common name and common last name too).
It might bother them when older I suppose!

You log in on a screen at mine but they do call your first and last name when they are ready to see you but I don’t consider that private information so that doesn’t bother me really.

I'm not worried about anyone hearing how old I am (not that I can imagine anyone in a Dr's waiting room cares) but I am amazed the whole privacy thing isn't taking into account when new Dr's surgeries and medical centres are built, or refurbished.
Sometimes it is helpful to let the Receptionists know why you could do with seeing the Dr urgently - or it might be that you are there for some results or something - there must be lots of reasons why you are talking about something personal and private.
It can't be that difficult to have a sort of foyer in which you speak to the Receptionist and then another door into the waiting room.

@drspouse

One of my DCs has a name that literally only exists among elderly people so I have to give their DOB all the time (very common name and common last name too). It might bother them when older I suppose!

I have the identical name including middle name as another patient at my local surgery. No surprise as all 3 of my names are very traditional and run of the mill. It's only when the doctor claps eyes on me they always say they have the wrong records, every time unless I look very good for 80 odd 🤣

they have the wrong records, every time unless I look very good for 80 odd
My brother and dad have the same first and last name (brother uses his middle name). Dad was in hospital and said he'd be happy to be out for his birthday. Doctor: hmm it says here your birthday isn't until the autumn... and you're 5.

If you want to get the right medicines given to you at a pharmacy then you need to be asked for your name and address. Write it down on a piece of paper and give it to them if it bothers you that much but seriously no one cares.

It would be a lot simpler if you could show photo ID. But the population of the UK doesn't want compulsory photo ID. So they have to confirm your ID in other ways...

I'm sure if you just passed over your driving licence that would suffice. We get it a lot when people speak little English or the name is difficult to understand