Late appointment! Not!

Baggs

* 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.

Waiting at dentist yesterday at 8.55 for 9.00 appt. Dentist arrives at 9.05. Had to wait another 10 minutes while she got organised. Can’t complain as no other NHS dentist for 50 miles.

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.

That’s the same as in ours MiniMoon it’s a good system you can’t argue with it.

and then you get people like me given an appointment and spend 50 mins in with the doctor.....I'm glad I wasn't behind me. but yes I have been turned away for being 6 mins late in the past after getting stuck in the tail back from an accident.

petra - I loved our old GP but he was always SO late at the end of an evening clinic... his wife must have had the patience of a saint!

Hope70

I have only just joined Gransnet and the email always comes around lunchtime so I enjoy reading them while having lunch. But today I was mortified with the reply from coolestgran who was so rude and offhand to a lady who had arrived a minute late at the doctors. I was ready to unsubscribe. I don't think I could cope with that sort of person.

to a lady

To Hope70 - Welcome to Gransnet. Please continue to read, and to post too.

Coolestgran is no longer a member of Gransnet.

My gp practise has a screen for you to tap in to so they know you've arrived. And heaven forbid you should need to speak to a real person because you don't understand the system.

Talking from the other side of the counter. Many years ago I worked in reception at a GP practice and only lasted 4 months. It is the only job I have left without another one in the pipeline.
People are incredibly rude when it is not going their way. Threatening it will be my fault if they cannot get medication and die but are too busy for a medication check up, threatening suicide to get an appointment…… the list goes on.
Being polite doesn’t cost anything and the majority of receptionists are trying their best

I have viewed this thread from both sides of the fence. Let me just tell you that often patients were spectacularly rude for no apparent reason. I am not surprised that my current surgery has felt the need to put up 'Zero Tolerance' notices.

I am not saying that surgery staff are always unfailingly polite. The job can be very stressful but there this is no excuse for initiating rudeness.

The worst treatment I had recently was at the vets. They refused to issue a repeat prescription for my dogs steroids without seeing him. We waited nearly an hour, no apology and it cost £95 for the consultation and tablets.

NotSpagetti
My last Dr ( a saint) had a notice in the waiting room stating: I will take as long as it needs with each patient.

I was late for my B12 on Monday. I was there well before time but got chatting to a friend on the way in and forgot to book in.
After 20 mins I thought, they’ve forgotten me 😄
One of our lovely girls ( and they all are😍 ) said, don’t worry I’ll squeeze you in.

I call the receptionists 'GATEKEEPERS'..... most are very good~~ friendly yet professional, but there are always a few who either are perpetually cross, having a bad day, or just not suited to the job. It's difficult to keep your cool with them for sure.
At the end of your visit with your doctor it might be good to mention what happened... being on time but waiting to check in made it 'seem' like you were late.
Doctors don't know what's happening in their front room if no one tells them.

I really wonder what is happening to us socially. All my jobs absolutely required instant and cheerful hopping from subject to subject and person to person. Always with a smile, eye contact and a 'How can I help you?' If well enough to be at work - well enough to work well! I'm sure it was better for us all.

Ah, on google says that quote was used by author Eric Dickey, in a book in 2007, but the general feeling was that it was originally in use earlier than that.Yes i thought so too.🤔

If this happens to me i always say first- "I was here on time but ive been waiting behind those others to just let you know i was here" before they can speak- usually works.And i'd definitely have said so at that dentists appt!- flaming cheek some receptionists have when some of them know full well its because themselves and/or other patients were dithering about!

Baggs- i watched something other night where a character quoted that quote- and no i cant remember who said it originally either!

I have only just joined Gransnet and the email always comes around lunchtime so I enjoy reading them while having lunch. But today I was mortified with the reply from coolestgran who was so rude and offhand to a lady who had arrived a minute late at the doctors. I was ready to unsubscribe. I don't think I could cope with that sort of person.

to a lady

It is along time ago but we had a receptionist at the dentist who was a real dragon. I know now a days people have to travel miles to a dentist . I have to travel fifteen miles and parking is a nightmare. So i always allow well over an hour for travelling and parking. This day in particular there was a police incident on the outskirts of the town I was stuck in traffic. I arrived late and apologised profusely. She was aware that there had been an incident but refused to allow me to be seen!! She was extremely rude. She was an absolute dragon and I don't think anyone ever dared to report her.

Our surgery has a check in touch screen system {not always working} so that generally saves queing to see receptionist first. Our receptionists are usually friendly and helpful. I wouldn't like to think our receptionists are the exception rather than the rule.

coolestgran

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

How rude!

Always get to Doctors appointments as early as possible because I am short & have RA & OA from shoulders down. This means that I cannot use the touch screen as the pain is too much from arms being so stiff & hands crippled with the arthritis! Know there will always be a wait in the queue for the receptionist so do arrive early but have still been told that I am late after ages in the queue!

I arrived ten minutes early for a dental appointment.

Like the OP there were two or three people in front of me in the queue. They seemed to be taking ages being attended to. By the time I got to the front of the queue I was just on time,

I was told that I was too late for my appointment and would have to make another appointment. I did this but was quite naffed off as I had taken time off work.

The dentist now seems to have two receptionists which has helped. I have never been late again but I have never gone into see the dentist on time yet. I am always kept waiting for at least 20 minutes

I’m a health care professional and that’s just rude. If someone is 15 mins late (or more) I explain that they may need to rebook or wait until a gap becomes available because I can’t delay people who arrive on time.

I attended my previous GP surgery a few days after my mother died. As I left the consulting room, my phone rang with a call from the coroner. I answered and said I would speak when I got outside. The receptionist shouted at me , she pointed to the signs saying phones weren’t allowed. She asked if I was blind or stupid! As luck would have it, the coroner heard and they contacted the surgery to complain

Even so, why be so rude anyway? I’d message the practice manager

Fleurpepper

AGAA4

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.

Not a fair comment. If a doctor or dentist is late, it is because they have either had an emergency to deal with or a case which turned out to be more complicated and need more time. Not because they think their time is more important!

I'm afraid I disagree with you there, Fleurpepper. I have sat in a clinic at 9.40 with my daughter waiting for a 9 o'clock appointment and watched the doctor saunter in having arrived at work from home. This wasn't once but on a number of occasions when we were visiting the clinic on a daily basis. He would then stand for 5 minutes making small talk with the nurses before walking slowly to his room. By the time we were seen at gone 10am, I was spitting blood! I didn't say anything because the future of my daughter's vision was in his hands.
I know that the majority of doctors may not be so laissez faire but there are a few out there!

coolestgran

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

Oh bore off. The poster was 1 minute late and was on a mobility scooter, common sense and compassion could have been used.
I cannot believe your lack of compassion.

AGAA4

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.

Not a fair comment. If a doctor or dentist is late, it is because they have either had an emergency to deal with or a case which turned out to be more complicated and need more time. Not because they think their time is more important!