Late appointment! Not!

MiniMoon

At our surgery we don't need to see the receptionist at all. We have a touch screen in the entrance hall and book in using that. Take a seat in the waiting room and watch another screen for our name and the room we have to go to.
The receptionist is usually shuffling files in the back room. If you actually need her you ring the bell on the desk.

Most people ignore that and it's usually not working anyway.

However, some people do spend a very long time talking to the receptionists, round and round in circles without getting to the point.

Fair enough.

And "bad" receptionist!

Fancythat , I wasn't late.
My watch is always 5 minutes fast and I was going by the time shown on the surgery clock.
I had gone on my scooter, first time into town, and taking care because of the state of the pavements and their steep cambers. I got there in 20 minutes, which I thought was good going.
I've got over my cross feelings now.
Thanks to all who have responded.

Going by other posts on here, perhaps the op was actually late?

I was 20 mins early ofr an appointment about a month ago.
At least I thought I was.

I went in 10 mins @late@[that is speechmarks].

Only when I got home, i checked in diary, and my appointment was for 11.00, not 11.20am. as I had thought.

At our surgery we don't need to see the receptionist at all. We have a touch screen in the entrance hall and book in using that. Take a seat in the waiting room and watch another screen for our name and the room we have to go to.
The receptionist is usually shuffling files in the back room. If you actually need her you ring the bell on the desk.

Old GP system, when we all had a family GP, of just turning up at the surgery and waiting your turn has much to recommend it.
- was just about to say exactly that Baggs.

I don't care how long I wait if I can spend the time I need with my GP or consultant.
The best GP I ever had was always half an hour or more late. He really listened to you and ypu never left not quite understanding anything.
He was a truly caring person.

He was one of a team of about 4 or maybe 5. People who wanted a quick in/out didn't go on his surgery days.

*had

* It does seem that doctors, dentists etc always think their time is more important than anyone else's.*

I think this is a mistaken interpretation. There will be things - like emergencies or complications in the patient - outwith their control.

Old GP system, when we all had a family GP, of just turning up at the surgery and waiting your turn has much to recommend it.

I’m sure it was often problematic to both doctors and patients as well.

It does seem that doctors, dentists etc always think their time is more important than anyone else's.
I have been kept waiting for ages in doctor's and dentist's waiting rooms.
People take time off from their own important jobs and are kept waiting but if they dare to be a few minutes late they are reprimanded.

I remember last year my appointment was for 9.35am.
I arrived at 9.25am. To be told by the receptionist that I was late.
I asked how could I be late if I'm 10 minutes early.
She completely disregarded what I was saying.
I asked to speak to her manager.
Manager came and said as my appointment was for 9.25am I was late.
Until I showed them the text message I received to confirm my time.
No apologies were offered.
I was seen by the GP and showed him the text. He just shrugged his shoulders.

I had a letter from consultant's secretary for an appointment at 11-30. I arrived at 11-20 and they seemed to be waiting for me - said I was late and appointment was at 11! I showed the letter and they were quite apologetic - glad I brought it!

Do they apologise when they keep you waiting for 40 minutes?
Actually, it was two hours ten minutes later for a phone appointment recently but the GP did apologise.

Allira

coolestgran

Shouldn't have arrived 1 minute before your appointment then.

Uncalled for comment.

How do you travel?
Car, bus, Shanks's Pony - or mobility scooter?

Colestgran is only 55. She said so in her thread about buying sex toys because her husband died a month ago. I think that post (and thread? ) has been deleted, and she isn't going to post any more.

I once arrived at 10 o'clock for my 10.10 appointment only to be told I was late. Apparently when I booked it, I had misheard. She had said 10 to 10 apparently and I thought she said 10.10. The doctor still saw me but gave me a stern lecture. I was mortified and couldn't apologise enough.

Makes no difference what anyone else would do, Auntieflo was not late.

To be honest I d never arrive anywhere 1 minute before the appointment time a) your watch may be a bit wrong b) you may be in a queue to sign in I would arrive at least 15 minutes before the allotted time That’s just me but I wouldn’t be comfortable arriving ‘just about’ on time

coolestgran

Shouldn't have arrived 1 minute before your appointment then.

Ouch!
Best to put those claws way before responding.

BlueBelle

Allira poster said on mobility scooter

Yes, I know.
I was responding to coolestgran's uncalled for post, wondering whether she herself was fully mobile and agile.

Allira poster said on mobility scooter

It's amazing, isn't it, Auntirflo, you can arrive early or in good time for a GP or hospital appointment then still have to wait half an hour or more to be seen!

We never know what hold-up there might be here to get to whichever hospital they might decide to send us to so timing can be unpredictable. We might arrive an hour early if the traffic's good and there are no hold-ups. Or allow an extra 45 minutes journey time yet still be late.
Sometimes because it takes an hour to park, too.

coolestgran

Shouldn't have arrived 1 minute before your appointment then.

Uncalled for comment.

How do you travel?
Car, bus, Shanks's Pony - or mobility scooter?

@auntie flo that was unfortunate and I hope you told the receptionist that you arrived on time but had to wait. Is generally the same at our docs so we arrive at least 10 mins before our appointment time.
Best to give a little latitude time wise.
Have never tried to arrive ‘on time’ am always early. And any family members or friends I have who are late tend to say they were on time but this or that prevented them from meeting up until after the arranged time.

There is a saying from where/whom I know not:

"Early is on time; on time is late; late is unacceptable."

Exaggeration of course but there's something in it that hits the spot.

The receptionist speaking to the OP was clearly not very observant if she didn't see that the OP had to wait behind two other people, but maybe time needs to be allowed for such eventualities.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I think most of the receptionists at our GP practice must be having a bad days most of the time.
The kinder, more helpful ones don't seem to stay there five minutes, either. I can see a couple of them at the reception desk of the next practice.