Good Morning Monday

In defence of the Dragon ladies the other side of the argument.

On many threads there have been comments about how hard it is to get an appointment with the doctor because of the dragons on the reception desk. Also how these same receptionists ask personal questions wanting to know why you want to see the doctor.

The doctors themselves are so nice, but their staff are awful.

Just think for a minute who employs these dragons (the doctors) who trains these dragons (the doctors) who sets the rules by which they have to work (the doctors) who tells them what they have to say to patients (the doctors).
Who reads the riot act to the receptionist who has the temerity to ask the doctor if he/she could possibly see Mrs Bloggs as an extra as she’s on the phone and crying (the doctor)
Who is nice as pie to the patient and then throws a tantrum with the receptionist who allocated an appointment to someone the doctor didn’t want to see (the doctor)

My point is not all doctors are nice (although many are)
Not all receptionists are dragons (although some are)

If the receptionist asks why you need to see the doctor it’s because the doctor has told the receptionist they must do that.
In my experience the receptionists hate doing so and find it as embarrassing and upsetting as the patient.
These hard hearted dragons often go home with sadness in their hearts at the loss of a patient, the illness of a young child, the hopelessness of an addict and all the things they encounter during the day.

At the end of the day, if you feel you need to see a GP don’t be put off by the dragon or anyone. Be polite and persevere.

Thank you Lins.x

Doodle,I totally agree.Years ago when working in the dispensary of a GP’s surgery, I had to occasionally cover on reception.One GP used to stand next to us while we were on the phone saying no,no,no absolutely not,not seeing anyone extra.If people cancelled we weren’t allowed to fill the slot.Some clinics he would see maximum four patients even though twelve slots were allocated.The drs set the rules for the surgery so all the questions the receptionists ask they have been told to ask by the dr.

Thanks for that insight Doodle, I’m sure you’re right.

Doodle, I’m always polite and I don’t see why they should be rude. I know the difference between firm and rude.
I’m sorry if you feel insulted, that certainly wasn’t my intention.

A mixture of sleet and snow and rain falling here in the very south of Denmark.

Me off shopping a 7 km round trip on my bike, and golly! was I wet and cold when I came home.

Coffee and a hot shower later, I am beginning to thaw out.

As a medical secretary for 35y (trained back in the day at college on a 2y medical secretarial course, learning all about the NHS background, medical Pitman’s shorthand - it was 1971!) who worked in GP surgeries and several hospital departments I know of what I speak!
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Some receptionists are unkind.

grandMattie and Urmstongran it wasn’t my intention to say that all receptionists are angels (far from). In my opinion there is no excuse for rudeness at all and certainly not when sick people are trying to make an appointment.
I didn’t address my reply to you grandMattie as it wasn’t in response to your post directly. There are many posts on GN referring to the dragon doctors receptionists and to the fact that they ask personal questions that are intrusive. I apologise unreservedly if you thought I was posting to you directly.
Urmstongran you are right there are some mean and unpleasant and rude and unkind receptionists around but I was just saying there are also many who are just trying to help but are hindered by the requirements of the surgery they work for.
I wasn’t a receptionist so don’t have a particular axe to grind but I have worked in several surgeries and seen how things work behind the scenes. No offence intended to anyone.

What I have found interesting was that our surgery was lovely. Then last year, it was subsumed by the bigger one locally and, I regret to say, the reception is less than nice - Curt, unhelpful, etc. Such a difference.

Well, a late good afternoon, folks!! Been a busy day.
After breakfast and shower I got the slow cooker out and it's now merrily cooking - trying to decide whether to add a dod of red wine???? I've just had the prescription delivered which the doc prescribed over the phone on Thursday morning!! Must change delivering chemist!!
Taichinan have you tasted a deep fried Mars bar? I've been tempted but just couldn't quite do it!
This morning after talking to my school friends I had to take a urine sample to the docs - It's got to go straight into that narrow tube!!! I'm afraid I haven't got the right equipment, not helped that I can't see what I am doing. It's literally hit or miss!

Enough of that. Hope everone has had a good day - tomorrow is another day.

Sorry to intrude on this lovely thread but I just wanted to thank Doodle for her observations regarding doctor's receptionists. I worked as a "Dragon" for fifteen years because I loved helping people and enjoyed a good and friendly relationship with the regular patients and others. This all gradually changed as the protocol was altered to try to limit the number of patient appointments available. We had new training and a supervisor listened in to make sure that we followed the script. I felt desperately sorry for people who I felt really needed to be seen but had to keep telling them to "ring back tomorrow" etc. Also took a lot of abuse from patients. Of course the doctors were lovely to the patients who blamed reception staff. Eventually I took early retirement as it was all so stressful. I don't deny that there are some rude and unpleasant "gatekeepers" around. Possibly the doctors prefer to employ those who will strictly enforce the rules rather than those who are more compassionate but it is not an easy job these days.

None taken Doodle
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