What Has Happened To Gp Receptionists.

[leahbee]

Went to see GP today and was directed to sign in via a touch screen computer. As I waited I watched at least 12 people sign in using this method and wondered what state the computer was in after a full day. I know that my tablet gets filthy and I am the only one using it.
What has happened to the receptionist who welcomed you to the surgery and advised you of waiting times etc. It all seems so impersonal now.

[237SJ]

Ann, be honest. Why would would a Doctor`s Receptionist want to keep you waiting "on purpose". Really?

[leahbee]

I can't bring myself to hold the rail when using an elevator and always pull my sleeve down
to cover my hand or use a tissue when opening doors. Before anyone says it, yes I am a sad, sad person. Does anyone else have strange habits, I have loads.

[Ann]

Oh 237 I assure you - they do in our practice! You approach the desk and they look up from what they are doing, look at you then look down again at the paperwork they have on the desk without even saying "I'll be with you in a minute" or "Sorry to keep you waiting". This can go on for a moment or two while patients just stand waiting......... then often they just walk off into a back room to fetch a file or something. The patients seem to be just an irritation in their general working day ..............

[tonyav]

Blimey Ann, we must have the same doctor, well at least the same receptionist.

[Jeza]

The receptionists at my doctors are all polite, kind and very helpful. There is a touch screen if you wish to use it. You don't have to if you struggle with technology, sight or age. The only rule they appear to have is for repeat prescriptions. Please ring between 11 and 3. Even this is wavered at times of forgetfulness or old age. I am very happy with my doctors surgery.

[boxtops]

chrisgel, 0800 telephone numbers for GP practices are free from any UK landline.

[chrisgel]

Boxtops - Thanks I didn't know that.
Sorry but one other thing. Why do receptionists demand to know what's wrong with you when you try to book an appointment.
I don't mean just a general query, I mean an in depth review of symptoms etc.
Do they have any medical training? Sometimes you feel like you've got to exaggerate in order to get an appointment this side of Christmas.
Ooops ranting again.

[boxtops]

Chrisgel, it's so (in theory) they can direct to you to the most appropriate healthcare professional in the surgery. Patients don't need to see the GP (for instance) if you're having bloods done, or a new patient check, or a regular check-up - in many instances the nurse or healthcare assistant is trained adequately to do these things and you therefore don't need a medical person to see you, the nurse or HCA can do it just as well - it saves on the GP's time, and lots of patients think they HAVE to see the GP.

No, receptionists don't have clinical training, but they'll follow protocols laid down in their individual surgeries as to what questions to ask when making appointments. There is a big drive at the moment to make sure that patients go to the most appropriate healthcare setting - if you rang up with chest pains asking to see the GP, I'd hope your receptionist would advise you to go straight to A&E if the answers to her questions led her to believe that you were having a heart attack.

[piggynose]

isn't rudeness in the job description for dr receptionists. I also dont ever remember seeing or meeting a nice one.

[boxtops]

I hate to admit this, but no, it's not. They have to put up with a huge amount of disagreeability from a lot of patients, who don't understand the pressure they work under in the surgery.

[EvianBaby]

I couldn't care less that we have to sign in via a screen. I'm there to see the doctor, not the receptionist.

[emmie]

i would prefer a friendly, welcoming receptionist, sadly seems a thing of the past.

[emmie]

our surgery doesn't do bloods, so off the hospital or centre for that, nor does it do many procedures it once did, what it does do is tick boxes, GP not receptionist, who by the way one has to disclose one's ailments to before being remotely allowed to see, speak with a doctor, some have been highly embarrassing, having to explain to a non medically trained person what is wrong.

[ummmm]

Are receptionists really that grumpy?

[emmie]

quite often, sad really.

[ummmm]

I've only had positive dealings with them.

We don't even need to communicate with the receptionist at our surgery. You can book your appointments on-line. I haven't tried that yet though because I've never had an appointment with them.

[emmie]

if you call up it can take an age for someone to answer the phone, 25 minutes one day, then you get through, is it an emergency, what is an emergency, spitting blood, or having a heart attack, if so you would go to A&E, so not an emergency, come back in three weeks, oh, so you say i need help, they go what is the problem, you then spend an age explaining on the phone the gory details, which they type or not into a computer. Then you may get an appointment but it will be classed as an emergency appointment, you will get ten minutes of the GP's time. You go through this rigmarole each time, either visit or phone.

[emmie]

i have spent two months trying to get help with a serious problem, finally saw someone outside the GP practice, 15 minutes with them, it was little or no use, i was and am in large doses of pain, meds not working, so back to the GP, see how this works.

[yogasun]

Have to say ours aren't too bad. I only go once in a blue moon and then for routine things, but Mr YS has to go more regularly and always jokes with them, but he jokes with everyone!
Digressing, it's dental receptionists that need to lighten up. Everyone dislikes going to the dentists, you don't want gloomy faces to greet you.

[emmie]

for cleanliness don't go to hospitals, the worse culprits are the doctors,