Friends who were down here on holiday, filled out all the required forms on line (4 pages) for re-entry into the UK, had all the documents ready for landing at Stanstead where there was no one to check them. Â Go Covid - you rock!!
Nothing seems to be paper based any more. The only information available to the GP is on the computer so if they want to confirm anything about previous medical history or treatment they have no option but to look at the screen.
I can't remember the last time a GP had 'a good chat' with me. Despite having to give the reason for requiring an appointment to the Gestapo first, sorry receptionists, the GP never seems to be aware of the reason for the visit. If you have more than one thing to discuss we are expected to make separate appointments for each thing!
I booked a double appointment for a matter that needed a good chat. It was a stressful matter for me and one that I was very likely to dip out of going. If I'd have gone in knowing the gp was clock watching I'd have chickened out and talked about something trivial like a repeat prescription. The double appointment ran on longer than the 20 minutes allocated (appointments here were 10 minutes). The gp listened and took me seriously.
I never ever tell the receptionist why I want the appointment. I do however get on well with her so she no longer asks. Not sure she ever did. Then they changed their system and all appointment calls had to be made to their main surgery and they did ask. I made it politely but forcefully clear my reasons were for me and my gp. Although there's a chance she had access anyway.Â
BTW my son's at another gp practise that's better for getting quick appointments for kids because they were bigger and had nurse practitioners. I was sat in the waiting room once with son and partner waiting to be called in for his vaccination. I heard an appointment call and the horrible receptionist there repeated out loud the reason for the caller's appointment. Everyone in the waiting room the reception was in heard it. Utterly disgusting and unprofessional IMHO. Never give your reason to the receptionist if the desk is within earshot of anyone who's not employed there and trusted. Never, ever! Receptionists have no medical oath or consequences like doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Worst is the sack but that's unlikely.Â
With our GP surgery is actually states on the website that if you aren't prepared to tell the receptionist why you want an appointment you will not get an 'urgent' slot. It currently takes a minium of 2 weeks from call to appointment if you just accept being put on the list!
Just pointing out that receptionists are paid to adhere to the surgery policy which is decided by the doctors. They ask for information because that’s what the doctors want. My daughter and sister are doctors receptionists and are always puzzled because patients believe that they have so much power and control when they don’t. If you don’t like the policy speak to those who made it. Don’t shoot the messenger.Â
KT53 that's exactly what ours says,and let's face some problems are extremely intimate! I might not want to tell male reception staff, who's main language is not English. Hubby won't even visit a female GP for some of his "issues"My grump read weather ONLY for the exact area where I live,which is only a few roads,rain 10 am,well where is it!!!
It's not the issue with the receptionist knowing it's just that they're usually in a public space and what you tell them Isn't private. The setup is the fault. Having said that I do not believe the gstekeep should be a medically untrained receptionist. As you say that's policy but in our practise they do not gatekeep that strictly. They trust your own assessment that it is worthy of an urgent appointment. Also, prior to the pandemic it was a semi walking. Call before 830 or similar and they'd tell you if b the session was going to be full. If not you turn up and give your name then wait in order of arrival. Non urgent you get a time slot that m could be a week or two off
So you believe the “gatekeeper “ should be somebody medically trained? A nurse or doctor employed to answer the phone and book people in for appointments etc?Â
Most appointments are made on the phone at the moment so surely that’s discreet enough and I believe practice policy is such that if you don’t wish to divulge the nature of the complaint you can say so.Â
Each practice should have a named person to contact if you have concerns. I’d certainly have spoken to them about the receptionist revealing any patient information within hearing of anyone in a waiting room, and would expect them to sort that out. Including some retraining to start with. Same with pharmacies, I was waiting by the counter in one, and the staff had left a pile of prescriptions within my sight line. Sad to see someone I knew being prescribed methadone, and shocked that the information could have been seen by anyone waiting to be served. I did have a go at them.
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I'm seeing mine on Tuesday as I need a health certificate for the new dance class.
I never ever tell the receptionist why I want the appointment. I do however get on well with her so she no longer asks. Not sure she ever did. Then they changed their system and all appointment calls had to be made to their main surgery and they did ask. I made it politely but forcefully clear my reasons were for me and my gp. Although there's a chance she had access anyway.Â
BTW my son's at another gp practise that's better for getting quick appointments for kids because they were bigger and had nurse practitioners. I was sat in the waiting room once with son and partner waiting to be called in for his vaccination. I heard an appointment call and the horrible receptionist there repeated out loud the reason for the caller's appointment. Everyone in the waiting room the reception was in heard it. Utterly disgusting and unprofessional IMHO. Never give your reason to the receptionist if the desk is within earshot of anyone who's not employed there and trusted. Never, ever! Receptionists have no medical oath or consequences like doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Worst is the sack but that's unlikely.Â
Same with pharmacies, I was waiting by the counter in one, and the staff had left a pile of prescriptions within my sight line. Sad to see someone I knew being prescribed methadone, and shocked that the information could have been seen by anyone waiting to be served. I did have a go at them.