Really rattled

[Gemini]

Everyone is in agreement here Nana!
My advice would be speak to the Dr in person as you are there, but also put your complaint in writing to the practice manager.

[Mimi]

Nana that is shocking, personal nature should be enough without explaining to a receptionist, god help it if it happens at my surgery, we have a male receptionist, just young I'm sure he would blush before I did/////

The whole "getting a doctor's appointment" has changed at our surgery, you have to ring 8.30 am on the day then a doctor rings you back to decide if you need seen or not, so you have to hang around waiting for the call, I do need to go see a doctor, but just seems just a farce to make an appointment these days....how can a doctor decide if you need to be seen by telephone conversation, no the wonder doctors are over stretched these days, it all seems ridiculous...

Hope you do complain Nana, its not a good way to run a practice !!

Good grief Pearl, do they have a time limit to when they will ring back , after all it's not many of us who can sit by the phone all morning waiting for a phone call and then only to find out the dr has decided you don't need to see him/her .

[Shemadee]

At least this doctor is taking responsibility for this very dubious decision. Most expect the receptionist to take the blame and don't allow them to say that they have to ask if they want to keep their jobs. When I first worked as a receptionist we were only allowed to ask if the problem was urgent or would it wait until the next day. That was when the surgery was booked to overflowing. When the two older doctors retired that gradually changed and most of the doctors would cross examine staff on about every visit, phone call and appointment. I did eventually respond with "It's none of my business" . Which went down like a lead balloon. I left once I found another job.

If a receptionist made a big big mistake the gps would most likely throw her to the wolves even if she was only following their orders.

Insisting on so much information is totally wrong and unless things have changed, against the rules. I would write to the practice manager (much harder for them to brush over an actual letter) and send a copy to the local ccg. http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Cli...cationSearch/1. For good measure mention the cqc http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/about-us.

GPs are called GENERAL Practitioners so should all be able to help initially whatever the problem though some do have a specialist interest in certain issues but it shouldn't be used to bully and intimidate patients.

I used to have a good idea of what went on in the NHS but it was quite tricky working out who you should take matters up with even with some experience.

[Nana]

Thank you everyone. I just wondered if I was in the wrong for 'almost' sticking to my guns. The only reason I caved was because I've just plucked up courage to go & if I don't go today it might be another 6mths til I pluck up courage to go again. I'll take your advice. Shem I'll also follow your advice 're the letters. Thank you for the link.

I'll also have a word with the Dr although it will be the first time I've seen her. Got to go, off to docs now. Oh & Pearl, get an appointment young lady 😉

[Daisy]

I do think there is something seriously and morally wrong with a system that requires us to 'pluck up courage' to access the service. The doctors and other staff are there for the benefit of the patient,paid for out of the public purse, which we have contributed to over the years. You couldn't get away with treating your customers like this in industry!

Nana - I hope the appointment went well, and, yes, please complain - you will be helping every one of us who feels this is a huge invasion of our privacy. xx

[Nana]

Update...
I saw the doctor & she was lovely. Bubbly & friendly. Put me at ease straight away. Once I'd got my examination over & sorted I told her about the practice's policy of having to tell the receptionist the reason for your appointment otherwise you were refused one. She gave the impression that she wasn't all that pleased with it either.

She's referring me to the Breast Clinic but said she's almost sure there's nothing to be concerned about. Everything's done in one visit...exam/mammogram/result & consultation. Takes up to two weeks for an appointment.

I spoke to a different receptionist & she asked if I wanted to speak to the Practice Manager. I did but felt as tho my words had fallen on deaf ears. I told her that it was an invasion of my privacy, against patient confidentiality, that my right to choose had been taken away from me & that I felt bullied. I also said it had taken me courage to fone in the first place. I said I'd been referred onto the specialist clinic & hopefully the result will be ok. What, I asked her, if the result wasn't favourable but I'd shied away from today's appointment? The practice would have a greater problem to deal with.

The outcome ... she will bring it up at the next meeting (Monday).

I will write a letter to her outlining my objections as a record of our conversation & the one Shem suggested.

*Thanks to the Gran whose been through a similar natured health issue. You gave me the courage to get myself sorted.x

[Oma]

Good for you Nana , im so pleased shes not worried about your problem but as you say it could have been worse and you could have been put off going , dont let it drop send that letter and insist on a reply to your complain ,that way you know its been dealt with and not pushed to one side xxx

[Plantaholic]

Well done Nana, hope something comes out of your complaint, I am surprised others haven't complained, or perhaps they have.

[Gemini]

I'm glad you went and got it sorted Nana despite the offputting receptionist.
One stop breast clinics are good places. The staff are kind and you get it all done in one day .Doctors wont tell you they are pretty sure there is nothing to worry about unless they are, so I hope you can manage not to worry.

[Plantaholic]

The husband of a lovely friend of mine had some tests and he had a call from a nurse on Friday evening telling him that he had a growth on his liver and they would be in touch, but as they hadn't heard for a few days his wife was chasing it up. Do not think they should have phoned unless they had a follow up appt. for him. They had a very anxious weekend. I spoke to her yesterday and they still hadn't heard anything. It was such a shock that they went to the Solicitors and renewed their will.

[Daisy]

Nana - a huge well done to you for putting your case so eloquently. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but you still did it. xx I agree that the doctor wouldn't say she doesn't think it's anything to worry about if it was, and I hope your appointment comes through quickly.

Plant - how worrying for your friend and her husband. Phone calls like that shouldn't be made on a Friday evening - it's just plain thoughtless! I do hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

[Nana]

Whilst I was there I said it's almost 3mths since GP referred me to a Cardiologist & I was still waiting for an appointment. Today I received both appointments! Both next Tuesday..... a.m & p.m. Funny thing is is that OH has an appointment for an MIR scan on his knee. Same day & same hospital.

Plant, sorry to hear about your friend. Thanks for your wise words my friends.x

[Daisy]

Nana - how odd all 3 appointments coming on the same day. You'll have to take a picnic and make a day of it. xx

[Gemini]

Good heavens, at least it's the same hospital Nana and you get it all done with at once! Does your hospital have good café? Our has quite a large Costa!

[Nana]

Sorry. The appointments are Thursday, not Tuesday. 😳 I wish the hospital had a Costa Gem. A hot chocolate would sooth the old nerves. Mind you, OH parks the car in the pub grounds opposite the hospital as there's not enough parking spaces in the hospital grounds. Parking fee can go towards a meal in the pub so that's what we might do for lunch. Hey, that would be good me turning up sloshed for my afternoon appointment 😱😉