Nicola H Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Get well soon Lesley.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Lesley - I had a receptionist battle this morning too! Finally got to a doc who has told me to take (another ) week off work. So glad I have a kind and considerate employer - and so glad for the forum to keep me occupied as I don't have the energy to do anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I've been having battles with my surgery as it is 7 miles away and we are on the edge of their catchmant area and they don't want to know about problems with mobility and parking (anyone ever tried to park in Stratford town centre?) Twice they have intimated that I 'ought to move to a nearer surgery' despite having been with them since birth. After this morning's debacle I stomped off - as well as I can stomp these days - to the practice in the next village. They were just as rude and told me that our village is not in their area, too far away. TWO AND A HALF MILES!!! I returned to practice No.1 and kept my appt. with a very nice and understanding Dr. and have the tablets - I should feel better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Oh Lesley it sounds horrendous. When I registered with my current practice I told the receptionist where I am and she did the trademans suck through the teeth and said oh I willh have to check we cover you - they did If they hadn't I would have been stuffed as there is no practice closer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Oh dear! I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant run-ins with receptionists. I'm a receptionist at a hospital and we are all really nice. Honest!!! You must have come across the sort with megalomaniac tendencies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I think they train them specially around here - same school as the shelf stackers who say (without looking) "If it isn't on the shelf, we haven't got it!" This forum has taken my mind of it all and the tablets are starting to work now. A lovely forum to visit when feeling poorly (I think we're back on topic now ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Get better soon Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piggyonemoon Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 well, a tip for the future with surgey receptionists, if they start trying to diagnose you before you've even seen the Dr. (to try and give an appointment in about 3 weeks, as they think its not a priority - they're soo nosey as well) you just tell them its a private matter to be discussed with the Dr. and ask them which Med School they went to? if they think they can sort out you out/put you off before even seeing the Doc. Hope Linda doesnt take offence at this - I know receptionists at Hospitals are great - i used to be a nurse, but GP ones seem to be on a bit of a power trip (if anyone out there is one and is reading this, please dont take offence, but from reading everyones comments and my personal experience, i talk as i find ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I'm kind of sticking up for receptionists here. I work as a nurse in General Practice, and we have great receptionists (well one of our girls is a bit dopey, and does seem to be unable to retain information for more than 10 mins, but she's a nice girl nonetheless ). They have a horrendous job, quite honestly our girls take some real flak, unfortunately they are the frontline, and are only doing what their GP (and employer) tells them to do. Practices are not allowed to pick and choose their clients (they used to, which caused all manner of horrendous inequalities), so the only way that they are able to limit their list size is to choose a radius, and then agree to take anyone within that area who wants to register. Out of area, and it's a no go, because otherwise they can be in trouble for discrimation, taking one person from out of area, and not another. The only way to get round that is to move in with someone already registered with the practice who is "out of area", works for babies for example, or new relationships, children coming home to live with parents again and so on. Or, contact the PCT, explain the difficulties and ask to be allocated a GP, which means that the PCT will instruct a GP locally to take you on, regardless of their boundaries. We have major problems with pressure for appointments, but our Drs will only see clients from 09:30 - 11:30, & 4:30 - 6pm, 10 minute appointments, and after that the poor old receptionists are left to argue the toss, because the Dr is safely tucked away in his office and not willing to get embroiled in arguments. So unfair on the staff who don't make the rules, merely enforce them. Receptionists are not normally expected to ask about symptoms etc, and certainly don't diagnose, but sometimes telling them will give them opportunity to speak to the Dr or nurse for advice, or, in our place usually slot them into my surgery, for me to sort out. If you're unhappy write to the Practice Manager, if the surgery's rules are unfair it's down to her to negotiate with the GP's, and the more complaints she has the better- more ammunition. If it's really bad write to the PCT- that'll get a response Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Well said Kate! I have met some horrendous receptionists in the past, but our surgery is just fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I quite agree Kate, my friend is a Practice Manager for two practices in the next town. It's the stupid rules regarding being able to see a doctor within a certain time that is causing the most problems for me. You can't pre-book an appt. for Monday - all appts. are kept free and you phone on the day. It takes a 'mobile' person 20 mins to drive from here into town, hopefully be able to park and then get into the surgery. When you do eventually get through on the phone they will sometimes say "can you get here in 10 mins" If not, then the next appt. will be one or two days away but they have fulfilled their side by offering an appt. that day. I couldn't get through on the phone at 8.00 - 8.10 - drove in and was there by 8.30 but they had one appt. at 11.30. Carl had driven me in because of the parking in town and my mobility problems so he ended up having to take a lot of time off work. They will also only dispense repeat prescriptions for one month at a time although I know there is room there for discretion from the PCT to do two months. To collect a prescription I have to find a parking space, walk to the nearest ticket machine, walk back to the car, walk to the doctors.......... I tried double parking once just to dash in and collect but they had forgotten to put my medicine ready so I waited and was not happy. I was even less happy when I received a parking ticket I didn't shout at either receptionist today - just tried to sort something out without having to go back home and in again and then, at the end of my tether I tried to change Practice. I just ranted at Carl, in the car. I think I'd do better finding a Vet - at least he could shoot me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 What a lot of bother Lesley - I'd be fuming too. I would write to the practice manager detailing your mobility problems and asking whether there might be any concessions made due to your circumstances. But I suspect that you have already gone that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Yes Clare - I have I'll just keep coming to this forum to keep me sane - and happy - but if anyone knows of a handy vet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I'm so sorry you have had so much trouble getting an appointment Lesley. It can be so frustrating and it is usually your nearest and dearest who get it in the neck Our practice used to be the same and would only give appointments for the same day. If my husband needed to see a doctor he would have to take a day off work on the off chance they had an appointment. (He works in central London with a 2 hour journey each way). I'm glad to say they have changed their policy recently and now their booking system is much more patient friendly. Hope you are feeling a little better today. Go and have a chatt with your chickens. That does me good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I have been blood sampled by a vet before Lesley and he did a pretty fair job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I have been blood sampled by a vet before Lesley and he did a pretty fair job Did you know that vets are allowed to do that to humans, but doctors are not allowed to work on animals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 It is because you can give consent where an animal can't I had to be sampled for work and I missed the nurse and it was easier to ask a pal (the vet) to do it than get an appointment at my GP's plus all the questions about what the blood is for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I have been blood sampled by a vet before Lesley and he did a pretty fair job Did you know that vets are allowed to do that to humans, but doctors are not allowed to work on animals Probably right LJ. My uncle is a retired orthopaedic surgeon, but he started his medical career as a vet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 How you feeling Lesley? Better I hope?? Our surgery is FAB - really small practice - just two GPs, loads of nurses etc., really friendly, they play soothing classical music and have some really nice magazines in the waiting room. Its quite a treat to be ill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 It's along way down to Dorset though I'm almost better thank-you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I am glad Lesley (about you feeling better, not about it being a long way to Dorset ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Top news Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Glad you are feeling better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
