I accidentally smashed my favourite 'Gorgeous Grandma' mug today. It was white with gold lettering and a flat bottom, just right for resting on a garden bench arm - only it didn't!
I have never been in a surgery where staff are taking phone calls on the front desk. Maybe it’s common in very small practice? That said I don’t go to the doctors often but have worked in 2 surgeries and family members work in 2 others so maybe you have better knowledge @NorthernJoe. I have been told that about 30% of requests for appointments can be dealt with without seeing a doctor so that’s 30% more appointments for those who need them. I assume that’s why doctors ask receptionists to screen them. Many people don’t understand how systems work, patients are often surprised when we in the pharmacy explain that their prescriptions are written by a doctor, they think we do it all in the pharmacy. They also think notes from hospitals come directly to us or we can access their medical records. Not everyone is intelligent and sensible unfortunately.Â
I know exactly how surgeries work in the ones I have used. I'm perfectly intelligent and sensible enough to see that a line half a metre away from a reception window and about 1m from a receptionist talking over the phone about test results is not confidential. If you'd been there you'd know the female patient's cholesterol results too.
Or the other surgery with a receptionist repeating loudly down the line the appointment reason at a reception desk next to about 20 seats three quarters full of people waiting for doctors or nurse visits.
The first was a small surgery in a two surgery practise. The second was a three or four site practise with that health centre having something like 6 plus GPs plus at least one nurse practitioner. It's also got the community physio too. So quite a decent size surgery.
Of course I am sure you don't believe that because of your experience working in surgeries and the experience of family members too. All doctor's surgeries have the design, space and practises that you have experienced.Â
I have very few practises in my area, basically the two I've described unless I go into Lancaster or kendal which are about half an hour away. So I will continue insisting on urgent appointments when I decide I need them and continue to refuse the request for a reason. I'll also visit the surgery for my results or ask for a letter. It's what I feel appropriate considering my observations of patient confidentiality issues concerning the receptions.Â
I accidentally smashed my favourite 'Gorgeous Grandma' mug today. It was white with gold lettering and a flat bottom, just right for resting on a garden bench arm - only it didn't!
I've been looking up insulated travel mugs and there's one that had a good review. In its manufacturers blurb it claimed it couldn't be knocked over. Being basically a straight cylinder containing liquids I simply cannot believe that it does what it says on the packaging.
Perhaps it works and might suit you. You could always get a gold ink permanent marker and write Gorgeous Grandma on it.Â
@NorthernJoe as I suspected smaller surgeries are different my only experience is of larger ones which are the norm where I live.Â
I would only repeat that if you disagree with a policy, any policy, at your surgery, speak to the doctor rather than  criticising the receptionists who are just doing what they are told to do.Â
Have to agree @debs64. Utterly pointless complaining to the staff. Have to go direct to the policy makers be that a doctor or a practice manager. Same applies in shops and businesses. Complain to the manager or CEO.
Our GP surgery,the reception staff are just inside the door,answering the phone,yes you can hear them,not the caller. They are behind a glass screen. The large practice I used to take my neighbour to,had a large open reception desk,no glass screen and waiting area and chairs were bang opposite. Same with my last GP and my youngest son's current one. My last GP,you could never get through for a phone appointment,I used to go straight after my night shift, wait outside till they opened,so queue behind you, could hear,no glass screen. My daughter has just messaged smaller shops in the big town where she lives have severe food shortages. Four more energy companies going bust because of terrific gas hike. My last one went bust,I got put back to the company I had left!!
Maybe I've been lucky, but I can't think of any doctor's surgery I've been with, where the receptionists have been anything but excellent. When I was in a very difficult situation at one point, they were terrific, as were all the doctors Â
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
According to the Independent, 100 million stockpiled doses of Covid vaccines held by rich nations will expire by Christmas and have to be destroyed. Meanwhile, poorer nations are starved of supplies of vaccine.
What happened to "nobody's safe until everybody's safe"?
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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Or the other surgery with a receptionist repeating loudly down the line the appointment reason at a reception desk next to about 20 seats three quarters full of people waiting for doctors or nurse visits.
The first was a small surgery in a two surgery practise. The second was a three or four site practise with that health centre having something like 6 plus GPs plus at least one nurse practitioner. It's also got the community physio too. So quite a decent size surgery.
Of course I am sure you don't believe that because of your experience working in surgeries and the experience of family members too. All doctor's surgeries have the design, space and practises that you have experienced.Â
I have very few practises in my area, basically the two I've described unless I go into Lancaster or kendal which are about half an hour away. So I will continue insisting on urgent appointments when I decide I need them and continue to refuse the request for a reason. I'll also visit the surgery for my results or ask for a letter. It's what I feel appropriate considering my observations of patient confidentiality issues concerning the receptions.Â
Perhaps it works and might suit you. You could always get a gold ink permanent marker and write Gorgeous Grandma on it.Â
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What happened to "nobody's safe until everybody's safe"?