Doctors Reception

[carless]

Is the new trend, which is being introduced into Doctors surgeries when asking for a appointment, acceptable or even legal? Patients are asked "what is the purpose of your visit"? by the receptionist, who will then decide if you need to see a doctor or a nurse. I would appreciate any comments or views on this matter.

[bednobs]

seems fine to me - that vast amjority of the public are stupid and clueless when it comes to knowing who to see for what. if you can be triaged to (say) see a nurse, then 1 you get seen quicker and 2 everyone else sees the dr quicker. You can always say "i'd prefer to discuss that with the doctor thanks" or "i'd rather not say"

[chrisgel]

It's hardly new. Our receptionists been doing it for years. There was a post a couple of days ago about receptionists.
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1253417.html

I try to tell them as little as possible as vaguely as possible. Bedknobs answer doesn't apply to me because there's only a doctor and receptionist there most of the time.

[woofgang]

I think its a good idea. Why would it be illegal? On odd occasions I have had to say its personal and only want to discuss it with a doctor and the receptionist has said that's fine but you might have to wait a little longer.

[woofgang]

Just to add that recently I had a lump in my mouth and called for an appointment. I told the receptionist about the lump and I was seen 30 minutes later. Receptionists do the appointment juggling and I think that's fine.

[silliemillie]

Our reception area is right in the middle of the waiting area, I dont think I would want to discuss my medical problems on front of other patients.

[EDDIE51]

You do NOT have to go into detail just say'' I have a medical problem that I need to discuss with the doctor''.
They are trying to sort out the ones that just need advice or information , travel 'jabs' , doctors letter, passport application to sign , sick note, repeat prescription or many others. It saves a lot of time and gets problems sorted out faster, a good idea, nearly all surgeries do it.

[boxtops]

I commented on the other thread a few days ago, that generally it's because not everyone needs to see a doctor, for many things these days it's perfectly acceptable to see a registered nurse or an healthcare assistant, without taking up costly medical time. The receptionists want to direct people to the most appropriate person, rather than automatically making an appointment with a doctor.

[bednobs]

also, many nurses are prescribers now

[sherrardk]

At our walk-in doctors you see a doctor or nurse. At the regular surgery the receptionist is allowed to make up some medicines and dispense them. Things change.

[welshlibranr]

Our receptionists vary a lot, some are pleasant and some are downright rude, some ask if maybe the nurse could help instead of the doctor, to which I reply, no thanks, I wish to see my GP, and some ask what is the problem? to which reply I 'll discuss that with my GP, unless you've recently qualified as a GP! I don't have any further problems!.........

[sherrardk]

(Hi Welsh,hope you're well, x)

[welshlibranr]

Hey Sher, I know, long time no speak, am fine thanks, hope you and yours are too!...........x

[sherrardk]

(Sorry Carless, we are all good thank, x)

[naomi24]

I don't think it's illegal, but for me it is unacceptable. On the rare occasion that I decide I need to see a doctor, I don't need a receptionist to tell me I don't.

[welshlibranr]

totally agree naomi24, I hardly ever go to see my GP, and when I do, it's necessary!.......

[ELVIS68]

Are you talking about telephone appointments carless?

[boxtops]

sherrard, that must be in dispensing practices, only surgeries who have a dispensing arrangement are allowed to do that, and the staff must be appropriately trained with at least a Level 2 qualification.

[DaisyNonna]

My answer would be that it it is not the a receptionist's job to decide whom I see. If I need a nurse, would ask for one, if I need a doctor that is my appointment request.
A receptionist is not a triarge nurse and my medical requirements are supposedly confidential.
If I need a doctor's letter then I need to see a doctor.
Or is that too simple to understand?

[sherrardk]

Hi Boxtops, they can give out medicine in the village branch of the doctors. The main surgery has a chemists attached to it. The village branch also has prescriptions filled and delivered for people who need it ( would be a nuisance for some to get to a chemist otherwise - seems to be a good system).

[bednobs]

how marvelous that abers are clued up on health, and know exactly who to see, As previously mentioned though, most people are not and wouldn't even think of seeing a nurse for (for example) an infection. These are probably the same people that moan about how long it takes to see a GP (whilst taking up GP time themselves, when they could have seen a nurse. In my experience, if you (or the receptionist) gets it wrong and go for a nurse appt, then they'll call the GP in anyway