doctors clinic

[cubic999]

ok havent used the doctors clinic in a while however went back this week for a check up, everything changed the receptionists were cold unfriendly, I had no idea who my doctor was and when I did see her she pretty much ignored me, any one else experianced this lately??
its only been a few years since I last went.

[robert551069]

cubic999, you have every right to change your doctor without giving a reason.

[ojread2]

My GP moved surgery about a year ago and now you cannot get an appointment without giving a breakdown of what is wrong with you to see him
I have told them various things, form it's personal to I'm not telling anyone but the doctor to be met with 'I cant give you an appointment if you dont tell me'
It's disgusting IMO - why should the damned receptionist need to know why I wish to see my GP?
However, my GP is wonderful and I am so loath to change him just because of the receptionists

Can you not request the GP you wish to see?

[boxtops]

Not many places let you do that these days - but the purpose of the receptionist's questioning is so that you see the most appropriate person in the surgery. No point in taking up GP time if the problem can be managed by the nurse practitioner or practice nurse, or even the healthcare assistant. It's about making best use of the time available. If you are really miffed, every surgery has a complaints procedure (it's very strict). If you were in our area there is plenty of customer service training for GP receptionists - and with the boot being on the other foot, they also get training in dealing with difficult people (not that I suggest you are).

[boxtops]

... depends where you live, but if you are in England and Wales you can just ask to sign up with a different GP practice and they'll transfer your records. Do bear in mind though, the new one might be the same - the days of cosy chats with GPs and receptionists are long gone, they are run like businesses these days, they have to be.

[bednobs]

also it depends where you live - for example i am in a rural area and there is only 1 gp surgery that cover us

[SMP]

I was a GP receptionist and we were always told it was not our job to determine if a patient needed to see someone or not as we were not medically trained. Obviously if the patient wants a flu jab or an asthma check etc we could put them in a nurse clinic but if a patient didn't want to discuss their problem with the receptionist that did not mean they didn't get an appt. The GP's would always have a quiet word with any patient they felt was abusing the system.

[nannybooby]

our surgery is fantastic ,you can book appointments on line with who you want and order repeat presciptions on line too. Our receptionist are not like the Stasi but really helpfull so are the pharmsists. We are blessed here I must say.

[daffy654]

Be grateful you even got to see your doctor, the wait at our surgery is an average of 3 weeks.

[LoftyLottie]

Our receptionists don't ask what is wrong. And neither should they as far as I'm concerned. If a patient can't get a doctors appointment they might ask if it is something that a nurse can deal with which often results in a patient being given a nurses appointment after discussion.

I certainly wouldn't be prepared to discuss what I wanted to speak to a Doctor about to a receptionist. We are also given the chance to phone and speak to a doctor or a doctor will phone you back.

[woofgang]

Our receptionists will say "would you mind telling me...?" but don't push it, which I think is okay. If you refuse because its personal they automatically put you on nurse callback or you can refuse and say I really really need to see a doctor and they will fit you in.

[Robinia]

Our receptionists ask but they only want a general idea...so I tell them something, not necessarily evrything. If I stress I want to see my usual gp I usually do. Never been refused an appt but it was once suggested the doctor spoke to me on the phone which turned out better all round.

Be concise and clear when you call them cubic, if you want to see someone in particular stress that. just ignore their unfriendliness but be nice yourself, that way you usually get the result you want.

[Paul22118]

They always ask, and I always give them the same answer - 'I want a heart transplant, bit outside your field of expertise love!' They then give me an old fashioned look, sigh and say in a despairing voice 'Take a seat please.'

[ojread2]

I am perfectly capable of knowing if I need to see the nurse or GP
If I have a sore throat I do not need to see the nurse
*If* there is a time I become unsure then it will,or course, be prudent for me to give a clue as to what is wrong with me, but I have yet to see the wrong person for any appointment I have made
As I said, before my GP moved into a new building, I was never asked what was wrong with me
What I speak to my GP about may well be something I do not wish the receptionist to know about and I am well within my right to with hold that information if I see fit, it is not for the receptionist to decide for me

[Eve]

My doctors are really good. You can't just book a general appointment, you ring and they ask for a brief idea of the problem, which I see as appropriate for deciding who you are best to speak to, ask which doctor you usually speak to so you can speak to them if possible and appropriate, and I imagine they would be fine if you say it's private (I've never had a problem telling them). It also helps the Dr have an idea before they ring you back and, I imagine, they could look up info, should they need to, before a callback.

If doctor/nurse will ring you back and deal as appropriate, leave a prescription for you to pick up, book you in for an appointment, tests etc...

So much more convenient then taking up appointment time if it isn't needed.

The receptionists are great too, friendly and have been brilliant checking on things and chasing things up for me when stuff has gone astray or needs chasing to and from the hospital.

My GP is lovely too, I've made more progress in getting my health back on track with her than any other doctor previously, she has been fantastic and to be honest, all the doctors I've seen/spoken to there have been great.

[bednobs]

oj, most practice nurses are trianed to deal with minor illnesses (such as sore throat) AND can prescribe. AND you usually get to see them quicker

[cubic999]

fair answers thanks,