Do Doctors Who Work At Medical Centres Have ...

[ladybirder]

a different phone number to the one you dial to connect to the main Reception Desk?

I was promised a call from a doctor at my local Medical Centre for a certain time this morning.  My phone didn't ring but then I saw that I had missed  2 calls from an unknown number.  My phone is set up to ignore unknown number calls.  So my question could each doctor have their own number unconnected to the Reception number?  

Thanks.

[barry1010]

Yes, they do. 

[barry1010]

I have frequent calls from my GPs reception staff, different nurses, the one in charge of prescriptions and the GP. They each have different numbers

[naomi24]

My doctors' calls show as 'number unknown'.  I use the plural because I never seem to talk to the same person twice.  I never know who I'm talking to.

[vulcan42]

Your're lucky to talk to a Doctor naomi, Our Doctors decisions for treatment is relayed through the receptionist. It always amazes me that the first voice I hear is a recording of the Doctor telling us that if it's an  emergency to dial 999 or go the A & E. In other words get a paramedic who has trained for five years to deal with emergencies rather than bothering him who has trained for at least seven.

[naomi24]

It's rare, Vulcan.  The last time I had a phone appointment I thought I was talking to a doctor - it turned out to be a pharmacist.  Dreadful service at my surgery.  Shameful really.

[ladybirder]

I've had a text saying doctor has tried to call me but when I reply it's not accepted.  You can't answer them.  I bet Reception won't give you their numbers or calls to them would be never ending.  I give up. 

[barry1010]

If I had a medical emergency I would call 999 or go to A&E.  A GP and his/her gladstone bag of medical essentials and a prescription pad probably won't save my life.

[barry1010]

My phone also blocks unknown numbers but callers can record a message identifying themselves and then my phone rings.

If you are expecting a call from your GP could you temporarily remove the block? I wouldn't expect a GP to make the number known

[Ringlet]

Yes, they phone patients from their own numbers, and the number comes up as "unknown".  

it is likely that the two unknown number calls were from your doctor.  

[ParsleyDumpling]

Speaking as a medical receptionist, we are not an emergency service. We will always advise 999 or A&E, for acute emergencies. We have had to call 999 ourselves for patients that have come into the surgery severely unwell.

We have one landline number for patients to book appointments from 8 o'clock, these incoming calls ring on all four phones in reception at the same time. So four receptionists answer at any one time. All other phones have to have incoming calls transferred to them from main reception. We can all dial directly out which is on a different number (unless calling from main reception), I assume that is to stop the main number being constantly engaged.

[juliecarlstan]

Answer is Yes! The front reception's job is to funnel patients and information where it needs to go. So, she is every doctor's receptionist. 

Your doctor may have called you from the number used as a direct line to his nurse, he wouldn't have left a voicemail because of the possibility of violating your privacy. 

Or it could of been a poorly timed telemarketer. 

Can you call the Dr. back tomorrow?

 

[Kiniavelly]

Doctors at medical centers can vary quite a bit. Some might have excellent ratings and a solid track record, while others might not have the same level of feedback. It depends on the center and the individual doctor. Checking out gp ratings https://gpratings.uk can give you a better idea of their performance. It’s always a good idea to research and maybe even ask for recommendations from friends or family. After all, you want someone you feel comfortable with and who has a good reputation.