I received this text message from my GP surgery. I am at a loss as to what this means, especially if the patient has a long term illness.. VERY IMPORTANT. Please think carefully about accessing health care for. SIGNIFICANT reasons only. BE prepared to give info to our receptionist.Your request will be dealt with as approp as possible by the practice..If DR feels a face to face app is needed, the DR will arrange this.. Quite a few patients are not atall happy with this message, as some of the receptionists as all your business, then decide whether or not you should see a DR,eg, one patient asked to see a DR & was told by the receptionist, there was no need as he will only require 5 antibiotics for his chest infection, the patient has long term respiratory problems, the receptionist was quite nasty & insisted that is what the patient required, surely this is totally out of order...Has anyone else had to encounter this? Thanks for taking time to read this, & I look forward to reading your views..x
Primrose123: I received this text... - Lung Conditions C...
Primrose123
I've just had phone appointments with doctors and consultants. If you need medication they should be able to tell by the symptoms. I need some tests doing and the consultant from the hospital said wouldn't advise it until September. Hope that was helpful.
Thank you, Gsp for your kind helpful reply,there are No telephone consultations at our surgery, the receptionist apparently deal with the patient, & They decide if a DR's app is necessary..I hope all goes well for you, & you keep well..x
It's only a couple of days ago since GP's were complaining on TV that they didn't have enough to do and patients were not asking for appointments when they normally would do. Some receptionists get above themselves at times. Keep calm and just keep repeating that you want an appointment to discuss you health problem WITH THE DOCTOR!
Thank you, Don-1931, for your most kind reply, it is much appreciated, the receptionists at our surgery deal with all the practice nurse jobs, eg, give patients various vaccines, deal with diabetic patients & many more patients with various illnesses, you see , the resident practice nurse left quite some time ago & has never been replaced, & yes, the receptionists have taken over the post of nurse even wearing the nurse's uniform, so no doubt that is why some of them are carried away..Take care, Don-1931,& wishing you good health for the future..x
Thanks for your good wishes, I'm hoping the same for you. 🙂 Are you sure it isn't the nurses that have taken over the receptionist jobs?
Yes indeed Don-1931, nothing shocks us nowadays,the world has gone totally crazy, everywhere you look..😔x
Looks like another surgery may be on the cards if you are not happy with their services, I had been in the same situation as you with receptionists thinking they were doctors for 15yrs,I changed surgery in October and what a difference it has made even during lockdown. Good luck
Hello BOxermad, thank you for your kind reply,I will not allow a few aggressive receptionists to make me change to another surgery, I have been many years with this surgery, & I have in general have had an excellent rapport with both doctors & receptionists, itvis just a few receptionists who indeed go out of their way to try & make it awkward for thee patient, as I have pointed out already some people have been really upset by their nasty unprofessional attitude, they seem to pick on the elderly & vulnerable patient, which I personally think is very sad..Wishing you well, BOxermad, Take care, & stay safe..x
Good for you .take care
Are you sure the receptionist is not a trained nurse.
If she isn't then what she is doing could be illegal.
I don't think things have changed that much since I retired.
Jo. S.R.N. Rtd.
They cannot wear a nurses uniform unless qualified.
Yes,Albertdog, they DO have the nurse's dark blue jacket on,things are changing rapidly nowadays, certainly NOT what they used to be..x
Errrr...... No. Just no. Your health issues must be discussed with your doctor. I mean I understand if they require an outline of what you are experiencing to brief the doctor, but as much as I respect the receptionists who work really hard at my hospital, I would be outraged if they suggested / dictated what medication I should be administered. Everything is so topsy turvy these days. Take care primrose123 . xx 🙋💓
Thank you Cas,I appreciate your kind reply,& yes Cas, your words are so true, the majority of receptionists thatI have dealt with are exceptionally helpful & respectful, but I guess you do come up against the minority who are just plain rude & nasty, give them a little power & they tend to think that they are the doctor, I still totally disagree that they should be questioning the patient, asking every minute detail of their illness, then for them to decide if the patient requires to see a doctor..I hope all good & well with you Cas,& that our beautiful Chom is coming along well too.. Take care,& stay safe.. Love to you & Chom..x
I would request a telephone appointment, but I see above you say your surgery is not doing those.
Your surgery probably sent that letter because they are overwhelmed with people wanting appointments, telephone or other, but definitely if you are not satisfied with the receptionist reply just request a telephone appointment with your doctor. You may have to wait for a couple of days or longer.
The receptionists at my GP surgery communicate the info to the doctor and the doctor instructions the receptionist to communicate with the patient.
Receptionist aren't qualified to prescribe medicines - the doctors do that.
I don't think any surgery will be seeing patients unless the doctor thinks there is a real need, not while we are still experiencing the pandemic.
If you are really worried you can dial 111 service for advice.
--
Thank you Bkin for your helpful, kind reply,& yes you are right, I totally agree that the surgery would rather patients did not attend if of course it is not urgent, but I do think that there are ways & means of a receptionist addressing a patient, Icertainly do not agree that the patient should have to discuss every detail of their illness with a receptionist.. In my surgery you dont get telephone consultations...Hope all good & well with you Bkin, Take care, & stay safe..x
I know what you mean about receptionists, pain in the rear end some of them. Hope you can get something resolve soon.
Just tell the receptionist you are not discussing confidential information with her and you wish to speak to the doctor it is your right.
If still no joy phone 111
When I had similar trouble at my previous GP surgery and was concerned about my health and not being able to get an appointment I called the 111 service. They ask have you spoken to your doctor you just tell it like it is.
Good luck.
Thank you, Bkin, I will not require to ring 111, this is not all due to the epidemic, this behaviour from a particular receptionist has been ongoing for quite some time.. I just find it difficult to accept,as it is nice to be nice,& with so much unrest in the world just now, one would wonder why anyone would behave in such a dreadful way...xx
if your problem is really just with the receptionist you can request to speak with the practise manager. Good luck
ps the 111 service is not just for the pandemic.
It is not just my problem,Bkin, she seems to take great pleasure exercising her authority, I can handle her alright, it's all the other people I feel sorry for in particular the older vulnerable patients..There is 1 or 2 just the same as her, I think they should have a course in people skills, before being accepted for the position...x
It sounds like she has got above her station and needs taking down a peg or two, a complaint to the practice manager/administrator in writing would probably do this stating a receptionist has no medical insight and should not be questioning patients excessively, and if it continues you will are prepared to take further action, hopefully the initial letter will work and she will be brought back down to earth.
Thank you TG58, for your most helpful reply,I do feel that yes perhaps the receptionist has been authorised to ask the patient the basic reason as to why they want to see a GP, but what I am very up against is when they ask about all your personal illness, eg 1 man said he had been suffering very bad nasal symptoms, he also said he had COPD& Angina, he wanted to ask the GP for a steroid nasal spray, he was told in no uncertain manner by the receptionist NO you wont get a Steroid spray from the doc, go to asda & you can buy a spray, many people she said had nasal problems, the elderly man was clearly upset, in my humble opinion that was very wrong of her...Take care, TG58, & stay safe & well..x
She does sound quite outrageous telling a patient they can't have a prescription and go and buy one, it could be the case the person was entitled to free prescription's, she definitely needs reporting, particularly if she talks to the wrong patient in that manner, it could be someone who is quite placid or vunerable, who may put the phone down with catastrophic results to that person.
On the other hand it could be someone who is quite the opposite, in which case she could come off a cropper, particularly if the person goes into the surgery and gives her a mouthful, lol.
If you feel strongly about this situation for yourself, or others, the suggestion of contact (or writing a letter to) the practise manager as TG58 indicates will mean you have taken action to help people you feel sorry for.
Good luck again 
Yes, I am going to be doing that...x
Our doctor video calls, then appointment if necessary.
Thank you Masteryoda for your kind reply, I think what your doc does is a very wise move,by far much better than unqualified people asking all your business, then making decisions..Take care,& stay safe &well..x
I had something not dissimilar a couple of weeks ago when I phoned up for an appointment for myself, I felt the receptionist was asking to many questions, I think in the end I said it was personal, to be honest I was getting quite annoyed, I don't feel it's the receptionists job to ask me a miriad of questions, a basic question should suffice for them should be appropriate, unless things have changed as they are no authority on medical issues.
Hi Primrose, no not yet thankfully, but I can tell you that I would not tolerate it and I promise you... I would get to see the doctor!!!! X
Thank you Jamesmum for your helpful reply you are 100% correct in what you are saying, there are many nice, kind, helpful receptionists, but it just takes the odd few to upset the applecart by their arrogant behaviour..Hope all good & well with you,Jamesmum, Take care,& stay safe..x
I d hope that the group has given you the strength to put your foot down and be heard...ho dare they...they are not doctors!! Best of luck Primrose 123 xx
When you telephone our surgery you are asked to wait until you can be put through to the next available agent! Presumably we no longer have receptionists! When ringing about worrying symptoms waiting for an agent to get back to you feels awful. Or am I just over sensitive?
No Christiej you are not being over sensitive atall, when we are feeling unwell we just want to speak to a GP & get the best possible advice, medication & treatment, all this nonsense going through unqualified nasty people, asking all your personal business should be stopped, not many people want to go down that route, Take care, Christyj &many thanks for your kind reply..x
Sorry to hear of your experience, not very nice from sounds of it. My surgery are operating a phone service which was so before the coronavirus for higher risk patients. But if you need to be seen the system is very different I am informed. Antibiotics are not supposed to be prescribed without examining the patient think someone is being a bit presumptious in this current crisis , better safe than sorry would be my line of action. You are right this is not an ideal approach , none medical staff making drug decisions based I am sure on the patients normal drug record.
Thank you katieoxo60, I appreciate your kind reply, I think that your surgery is doing the right thing by operating a phone service,my surgery do not do that, hence. the reason one has to phone & speak to the receptionist if you want an appointment to see the DR,sometimes it can be almost 2 weeks before an appointment is available,& also pending on what you wish to see the DR about, the receptionist asks all your details. I remember one time that I was very breathless & my friend run me to the surgery, I said to receptionist, my asthma is really bad, can I see a doctor? she said no the dr's are busy , you would be better going to the hospital, I said, I wont make it to the hospital,I will have to see a dr & get some antibiotics& steroids, she said sorry no one available, my friend just walked straight into the dr's surgery when a patient came out, & the dr prescribed steroid tablets & antibiotics, & also put me on a nebulizer, that's what I mean when I say the system has to change..I hope all good & well with you, katieoxo60, & take care & stay safe..x
Thank you for reply, I'm managing Ok nice of you to ask. My receptionist usually says is it urgent do you need a doctor today? If I say yes she puts it down for ring back I very rarely have to go into surgery , maybe thats because I have been there 20 odd years. However last time I had to insist on being seen in surgery as needed an assessment of severity of symptoms. The Gp agreed with me. This new system of approach is quite disconcerting I can't get to hospital walk in right now so its a bit frightening if things flare up isn't it? x
Yes, everything in life is fast changing now., katieoxo60, I. think the best option for us, to do if we are. really unwell is. to call an ambulance...I wish you good health & much happiness for the future katieoxo60, & try not to worry too much about anything, as worrying just creates health problems & that's what we want to try & avoid ..Take care, katieoxo60, & look after yourself well,, love ,& may God bless you always..x🎉🎈
Best wishes to you to, think your advice about an ambulance makes sense. Stay save & well when ever possible. xxx
When I ring GP THey ask me the problem.
I then get put on some ones liat,to ring me.
Although it’s not the same as a face to face appointment,m satisfied with it .
In the pandemic,I don’t want to be sitting in a small room with anyone.
The GP Surgery have been proactive,they locked down really early,
Every one has been so helpful.
O apologised to the GP for ringing again.
He replied it’s not your fault we can’t fix you.
Made me feel a lot better in my head !i appreciate that in the long run I, not fixable,just need supporting along from 1 health problem to the next (multiple diagnoses
Thank you for your kind reply Oshgosh, I hope all good & well with you.Take care,&stay safe..x
Thank. You
That is absolutely flipping outrageous primrose.
I cant add anymore to the above replies except that your surgery probably has a website on which to leave reviews good or bad.
I'd be asking those 'receptionists if they are qualified respiratory nurses. Grrrrr
Thank you so much peege for your kind & helpful reply, I do feel strongly about discussing all my health problems with an UNQUALIFIED receptionist, I do think yes, perhaps they may be authorised to ask the patient the basics, but who are they to decide whether you require to see a dr or not? I must also stress most of the receptionists are very pleasant & helpful,it is just the odd few that tries to be power kings...I hope all good & well with you Peege, Take care & stay safe...x
Hi primrose
I have often had this kind of treatment. I live in Chester, where I am faced with all kinds of abuse and 'rudeness' from my GP surgery. I am changing as soon as covid has gone to Hell, and I would recommend that if anyone has this kind of treatment to complain to the NHS!
Thank you for your kind reply Gingerapple, it really is quite sad that some people go through life with a bee in their bonnet, after all we are just looking for a little civility from some of those receptionists, certainty not to be met by such hostility, I personally supervised 70 personnel in a large office, & certainly we all know that everyone has their own little ups & downs throughout life, but it certainly does not warrant such aggression towards others all the time, I would have thought that the receptionists position came under 'THE CARING PROFESSION"but amongst a certain few there is NO compassion,kindness or loyalty about them, I Must stress though that the majority of receptionists are really kind &helpful,my humle opinion is the few awkward ones should be warned,& if there is no improvement in their behavior they should be dismissed..I hopeall good & well with you Gingerapple, & take care, & stay safe...x
Thank you primrose for such a lovely reply....
I was seething a bit when I replied because I know how people can be.
If you're like me, friendly and polite, teettering on 'humble' I know how it can be, too, people think kindness is stupidity, as in a weakness.
I, too, had a whole range of people in my 'flock' when I was working, it surely was different then, and our upbringing helped us.
We shall just have to soldier on
Please take care and don't go out yet, it's still dangerous and we would be wise to stay home until mid July and await 'progress'...
Big hug, love Bev
Thank you Bev..x💝🎈😀
I worked for a VERY short time as a doctor's receptionist. The doctors requested that we ask patients for brief details of their reason for requesting appointment. Or patient could respond "its personal ". Then patients were triaged, by a clinician, and appropriate steps taken. I.e. Appointment made, prescription processed. You always had one receptionist who thought she knew better though.
Yes, you are right Karenanne61, just one or two people can make life tough for others, of course if they are allowed too, and yes some people take a delight in upsetting others, my personal opinion is that, that type of person possibly needs some form of councilling themselves, as they certainly need helped in some form to treat their abnormal behavior..Thank you for your kind reply Karenanne61, &Iwish you good health for the future..Take care, Stay safe..x
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