Was I wrong?

9 May 2005

This morning after getting my daughter dressed for school I noticed that she had a 's had all of her injections and has already had chicken pox so I doubted that it was serious.
So I made her an appt at our surgery and took her down there on time only to be told that the receptionist who I made the appt with had booked us in at the wrong time earlier on this morning. rolleyes

So we waited there for nearly an hour while they talked between themselves deciding what to do and eventually told me that she couldnt be seen until this evening.
I explained that I hadnt been able to take her to school until the rash was checked out and that I needed to get her seen asap so that I could get her to school at least to catch the afternoon putting this point acroos god knows how many times they bring out the reception manager who preceeded to tell me that under no circumstances were they going to honour the appt that i had already made and that if I wasnt willing to wait that I would have to take her to A&E (which is miles for a kid to walk as we dont have a car!)There was also no chance that they could pop her in for 5 minutes with a Dr.
So I basically kicked off at them,got extremely angry and ended up walking out absolutely fuming mad

:x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x
The problem now is that I have no other choice than to take her this evening and she has missed the entire day at school :x
So question us,Was I being unreasonable standing my ground like that?Just checking that I didnt make a twat out of myself for nowt,ggggggrrrrrrrr :x

9 May 2005

Babe,
I think they should have let u wait and see a Doctor !!!

9 May 2005

I was always lead to believe children got priority in emergencies....whenever one our kids is ill my partner is straight up the surgery even without an appointment,she may not be seen staight away,sometimes waiting over an hour,but our child is never turned is a parents instincts to get upset in a situiation like this,you didn't know wether you were coming or going because they couldn't decide what to do,i mean what is 5 mins to examine a child.

9 May 2005

When it comes down to kids you can never be to cearfull so no I dont think you were wrong> I would have done to same. GOOD ON YOU

9 May 2005

Quote by Clare_Lincs
So question us,Was I being unreasonable standing my ground like that?

NO!!!!
Doctors surgerys are currently pissing me off no end.
Recently phoned for an emergency appointment for our eldest. Receptionist told me that they can only give me an emergency appointment if I phone it in at 0830 in the morning.
At 0830 in the morning I wasn't aware that I'd NEED to see a Doctor later in the day!!
Despite her rather condascending attitude, I retained my composure and eventually was told that I could get an appointment.
What pisses me off tho' is the known (to us anyway) fact that surgeries do keep appointments back for emergencies. It would just appear to be the most forceful one that gets them.
Sometimes you've just got to stick your ground, although it sounds that whatever you tried you were going to get nowhere.
Previously I've threatened to stay at home and request a home visit when I'm told that I cant get an appointment. For some reason that tends to find a space to see a Doctor.
I'm not trying to be awkward but if my child needs to see a Doctor, I expect them to be able to see a Doctor without first jumping through hoops to satisfy a receptionist.

9 May 2005

Quote by blonde
Babe,
I think they should have let u wait and see a Doctor !!!

I think Babes is right, are docs is absoutley the same if u aint got a appointment , theres no way your getting in, sometimes i wonder if these people have kids themselves because if they did, surley they would know how worrying it is for a parent when there child is sick, especially if your child as a rash, u have to be so careful ...
Any how Clare, i hope shes ok, and its nothing too serious
Lindaxxx

9 May 2005

stand your ground babe walk in with your head high u have done nothing wrong other than caring for your child and last i checked it has yet to b classed as a sin

9 May 2005

I cant believe they wouldnt see her there and then. I dont blame you Id have kicked up the fucking carpt and the ground underneath too!!
Call them health professionals, did they even look a the rash? What about things like meningigtis and as you said cant send a child to school with a rash!
Im lucky here with my local health centre, just another poscode lottery eh! confused

9 May 2005

Thanks you lot,its nice to know that its not just me.
She is fine in any other way apart from being itchy so its probably just an allergy rash or summat,but god damn it im still fuming now.
Im gonna write an official complaint when ive calmed down a bit more,they wont know what hit em. mad

The thing is what pisses me off is that I looked into changing surgeries and its not allowed if you already have a GP in town,fecking rediculous :x :x :x :x
and breathe in 1,2,3.............
and out 1,2,3............

9 May 2005

Quote by fruity1976
Call them health professionals, did they even look a the rash?

Nope didnt give a shit mad

9 May 2005

Put in an official complaint in writing.!!

9 May 2005

Quote by fruity1976
Put in an official complaint in writing.!!

OOoh dont worry I will.

9 May 2005

Cool!! bloody health service is getting worse! sad

9 May 2005

You did the right thing, they were in the wrong. Surely they must of had even a nurse handy though to check her out for your piece of mind.
A friend of mine had similar probs and she complained, the story ended up on the front of our local paper. Never be afraid to complain.
F

9 May 2005

Quote by Clare_Lincs
Put in an official complaint in writing.!!

OOoh dont worry I will.
And when you do i would suggest a copy directly to your GP
What if, and im sure she hasnt, your daughter had had meningitus? They had promised you a morning appointment and after turning up they should have provided that, regardless.

9 May 2005

No, you were absolutely right to expect to see the Dr straight away. The rash could have been due to anything from a simple allergy to meningitis. So the Dr should have seen you straight away. When children are involved, you shouldnt risk anything.
Especially since it was the fault of the receptionist who made the mistake. I'm glad that you have decided to make an official complaint in writing and hope you go through with it..

9 May 2005

Quote by foxylady 123
Put in an official complaint in writing.!!

OOoh dont worry I will.
And when you do i would suggest a copy directly to your GP
What if, and im sure she hasnt, your daughter had had meningitus? They had promised you a morning appointment and after turning up they should have provided that, regardless.
Foxy im finding myself agreeing with you,feels wierd confused

9 May 2005

Quote by Clare_Lincs
Put in an official complaint in writing.!!

OOoh dont worry I will.
And when you do i would suggest a copy directly to your GP
What if, and im sure she hasnt, your daughter had had meningitus? They had promised you a morning appointment and after turning up they should have provided that, regardless.
Foxy im finding myself agreeing with you,feels wierd confused

i know i have the same problem, had to read and re read your original thread as i couldnt find anything to cirticise!! redface

9 May 2005

can't believe they wouldn't let a doctor see your little girl. She should have been taken straight through to the 1st available doctor, between appointments. How long does it take to look at a rash for goodness sake. I hope she wasn't infectious as well. That's the reason our doc takes kids with rashes straight through instead of hanging about the waiting room. Hope she hasn't got anything too bad though. You go girl wink

:love: xxx

9 May 2005

I had a similar experience with my daughter they tried to make me come back the following day
I stood my ground, and said they had given me an appointment therefore shes entiltled to see the doctor
Practice manager came out so I replied are you medically trained? (knowing they wernt)
when the response was no
I then said so you want me to take a child who has an unexplained rash which could be contagious, and maybe pass it on, just because you cant run a simple appointment system ?.........this child could have meningitis for all you know, wont look good in the local paper if she has and you send me away will it?
think I struck a chord .....they sent me in next as it was she had Rubella , when i told the Doctor what had happened he went spare, found out later that hed told them all if a child comes in with a rash they must be seen appointment or not.
Its often the case with receptionists they think they are gods, Doctors dont sometimes realise whats happening out in reception so you need to tell him when you get there tonight Clare.
God luck hun and I hope your daughter is ok
Vicky xxxxxxxxx

9 May 2005

Hi all
new to the board - have to agree with most of what's been said. I'm not a doctor, but it takes no more than common sense for someone to know that a chillds rash needs to be checked out asap - do people in public health services not realise that they are there to serve the publics health (though i am not having a go at nurses, doctors et al) just the overall systems that go around them! E.g. on a wednesday afternoon our docs surgery is open between the fantastic hours of !
ok off my soapbox now redface

9 May 2005

Your GP surgery should also have a Patients Charter which will include the formal complaints procedure - don't let it go (even if your daughter is well and you are seeing a doctor later).
I find that the GPs themselves are very aware of the "service" aspect to their role generally and that the receptionists, while believing they are helping the doctors, are rubbing people up the wrong way... Just my perception of my GP surgery - not a broadbrush swipe at all GP receptionists...
My GP surgery also has the "call at for an appt that day" but the line is always engaged until atfer by which time the appointments for that day are gone!!!
Makes mental note : Get appt for 10th June as may be ill ... smile

9 May 2005

Did all those people who voted for Labour believe the NHS was going to improve? Good for you, I am pleased you are making a complaint, although it is wrong that you have to go that far in the first place. Your child should have been seem immediately without question. No harm in sending a copy of your complaint to the local paper. I feel if we complained a little more, things would get done. A lot of people become very blase and just accept things for what they are. In my area, they have closed the Saturday surgery, so you're buggered if you need to see the doctor over a weekend. How long do we have to endure such nonsense?

9 May 2005

Too bloody right you were correct in this matter Claire, you can never be to careful with childrens illnesses.
I would have been there all damn day just to be in their face until something happened.
Maybe though it would be worth while (if possible) for you to change practises???
Anyway glad to see your daughter is ok.
The WHOOSH Manâ„¢

9 May 2005

Quote by SlydeWHOOSH
Maybe though it would be worth while (if possible) for you to change practises???

I tried,nowhere else will take on new patients in town right now!

9 May 2005

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Hi Claire,
You go girl,
If YOU made an appointment and didn't turn up they would be first to let you know.
In this case THEY made the appointment and even if it was a mistake then they should have found a way to get you to see the doctor. And with a child the mistake is unforgiveable.
You make sure the Dr knows you are mad about it and all of the above posts apply.
:twisted: Taff666 :twisted:

9 May 2005

Myself and Mrs TnH are both medic's and luckily for us know our local GP's on a professional level, as well as the receptionist on first name terms. No doubt this gives us an easier ride. That said out of the 5 or so receptionists only 1 of them is actually polite, the others all try to diagnose you over the phone, or tell you that you are wasting their time mad

I am sick of non trained receptionists trying to second guess the doctors, I know my medical limits and I don't exceed them. I hold certifications in what I do, and even I don't wander about like I am God.
Mini rant over, good luck with complaints system Claire, shame they need an official complaint just to get em to do their job...

9 May 2005

after years of dealing with stroppy receptionists
the easiest way is to say cant give me an appointment? ok i`ll call out the emergency doctor after surgery hours
2`s

9 May 2005

Quote by twos_company
after years of dealing with stroppy receptionists
the easiest way is to say cant give me an appointment? ok i`ll call out the emergency doctor after surgery hours
2`s

thats exactly what i was gonna say it works for me
lou xxx

9 May 2005

You were absolutely right to stand your ground. Regardless of the age of the patient, an appointment is an appointment for which you had to sacrifice some other activity (work usually) to atend. Well done!