Doctor Receptionists

[jennyjoan]

Now that they aren't allowing many patients into the surgery what are the above doing.

[jno]

... and don't call me Surly...

[bobbie22]

I worked for a doctor for a while, we were very
busy. Telephones, filing appointmentS, it goes on and on. It’s probably even worse now We have lovely helpful receptionists in my surgery.

[bednobs]

mine never used to do a lot with the actual patients in the surgery anyway before covid - you checked in on a pad thing, and a telly told you where and when to go. I would imagine they are still doing the same stuff they were doing before

[ducksie]

I have to go with the experience of gness, I never lived in kettering but when my parent became unwell and sadly passed - the reception staff brought me to that back room and were sooo very good to me, I had tea and we chatted about the illness that took away my wonderful parent and even to this day, coming to the anniversary, they are so thoughtful and know that this is a very sensitive time for me

[Theland]

Chefs can eat their mistakes, receptionists bury them!

[Mamyalynne]

That wasn't very nice straight under Ducksie's post was it?

[marval]

The receptionists at our surgery are really helpful. They are being kept busy, if you phone them you are frequently in a long queue.

[ducksie]

Thank you mamyalynne, especially when I felt my parent's own gp ignored symptoms and I removed them from that surgery to mine - I do blame the dr in my parent's old practice for their bad health and subsequent demise but not the people at my gp surgery

[Mamyalynne]

I can understand that, my late husband was let down too - his GP did at least agree with me after the fact,so hopefully the same mistakes weren't made again.

[Musictv2019]

Standing outside smoking all the time.

[ducksie]

Mamyalynne, receptionists at that time were great - gp should be jailed like shipman

[Maydup]

I must admit there was a time when many doctors receptionist were rude and bossy, but thankfully my experience now is of a new generation of wonderful helpful hardworking people.

They have as many appointments to arrange as before albeit by phone; a whole load of Covid checks to do as people arrive at the surgery, samples to process, letters and admin to process, medicines to deliver to shielders, and patients to reassure.

In the meantime one of them had a moment to ring us this week to say how they noticed Mr M had two minor appointments on different days, would he like to combine them and have a flu jab while he was there. Nothing but brilliant service as far as I am concerned.

[tinkerbell23]

Likely dealing with 100s of calls a day from folk demanding to see a GP who dont have a clinical need to be seen

.... and assisting those to see a GP who require this.... and dealing with prescriptions, emails, blood test requests/results.... piles of mail that are recieved daily from hospitals & typing GP letters and referrals onwards to specialities.

And taking dogs abuse from rude people i would also bet

[Thisoldbird]

We changed surgery about a year before Covid lockdown. Everyone was wonderful after our last surgery.
The receptionist are all extremely pleasant as are nurses and GPs. The latter seem to have gone into hiding but will communicate via telephone. Sadly that's not always satisfactory.

Being in the extremely clinically vulnerable list we now find we qualify for home visits from the nurse who came last week to give it us .

[Thisoldbird]

Give us our flu injections.. sorry forgot to add to my post above

[10ClarionSt]

In answer to the OP, they're sending out texts and emails telling people that abuse of staff will not be tolerated.

[naomi24]

Surely they’re still doing what they’ve always done. Organising appointments - albeit telephone appointments - answering queries - albeit by telephone, etc., etc. The only thing that’s changed for them I suspect is that patients are now not standing at the desk.

[emmie]

most of mine are ok, there is one male who is often off hand, i try and avoid dealing with him to be honest

[mallyh]

it really annoys me that we have to tell non medical people why we want to see a doctor and they decide if it's necessary.

[emmie]

that is definitely one that is annoying, telling some stranger, the receptionist why you need to speak with the doctor, i hate doing that