GP receptionist

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786901#Comment_119786901

You can't imagine capacity into existence.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786827#Comment_119786827

Well I can just speak for how it works in the practice I attend - the receptionist does not consult a GP to decide if your case is urgent or not - she makes the decision whether I get an appointment today or next week. I have no problem whatsover telling a receptionist my medical problem - what I have a problem with is the receptionist deciding whether Im worthy of an urgent appointment.

I know receptionists are just doing what they are told to do but they shouldnt have this responsibity. I am a person who only contacts the GP when I really need to ( mostly because of the high cost) so when I need to see a doctor I really do need to see one.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786916#Comment_119786916

I would suggest if this patient needs to see a doctor they should be able to see a doctor and an extra charge applied. Most people if they have to pay extra will decide for themselves how urgent they are. If you really need to see a doctor you would be willing to pay the extra. I think you will then see a reduction in the amount of patients who request urgent appointments.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786888#Comment_119786888

Yes the crisis has been going on years.

The idea of having lots of sick people crammed into the same space is a lot less appealing after COVID. You'd think someone with a respiratory condition as you said would be a lot more aware of this.

What are you hoping for? A scene out of Dr Zhivago.

I dunno you seem to be aware there's a crisis but then you say something that ignores that reality completely.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786901#Comment_119786901

A significant number, many of whom do not need urgent treatment but believe they do, many who are contrary like you because they are kept waiting many hours after being deemed not to be priority.

There is always going to be a delay in accessing GP care, the fact that each GP clinic has thousands of patients makes that inevitable. You could equally ask how many patients who do need urgent GP treatment are prevented from accessing it due to non urgent patients taking up appointments?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786964#Comment_119786964

In that case you need to find a GP who doesn’t have a Receptionist and answers his/her own phone.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786964#Comment_119786964

Drs appointments have never been so expensive. Doesn't seem to have had any effect on demand.

I'm not rubbishing your suggestions. But I know from IT systems the majority of people will choose top priority if the given the choice. Human nature. I know a few people who work in GPs and I've heard all their stories. Same thing.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786970#Comment_119786970

I'm actually hoping not to feel like I have been abandoned by my primary health care provider, and that when I am ill, I can get to see them in a timely manner, without having to sacrifice my dignity or battle my way past a dragon receptionist when I am not feeling my best. That is all.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786972#Comment_119786972

I am not the contrary one here Dav010, so again, knock it on the head.

You could equally ask how many patients who do need urgent GP treatment are prevented from accessing it due to non urgent patients taking up appointments?

It could also be said, that if the wrong people are taking up appointments, then receptionists are really not the right people to be scheduling appointments.

I also notice you answered my first question, but not my second.

iamwhoiam

I think the receptionists knows full well who is sick . She will know those who ask for appointments often and those who only ask when its really necessary . I very rarely need my GP and wouldn’t dream of talking up her time unless I need it . I request my prescription online and other than that I dont bother her unless I am ill . The receptionist knows this and if I ring she knows it’s urgent

Jim_Hodge

Mod: Removed quoted post, now edited.

That's some change of tune.

Edit: How come quoting the edited OP brings up to original post as opposed to the edited ?

"Should a gp receptionist ask you your personal business"

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787043#Comment_119787043

Agreed - for the cost is a major turn off to me attending my doctor. I only go when I have to.

The majority of doctors appointments are filled up by medical card holders ( people who are not paying). If something is free people will have no hesitation in using and abusing the service.

My own mother ( retired with medical card )would go see her GP about a pain in her big toe, a cold etc - stuff that she doesnt need to see a doctor about. I fully admit she is a time waster of GP services. She does this because the GP is free to her - if she had to pay it would be a different story.

The system needs to change to help GPs out. Maybe a €5 charge per visit for a medical card holder or limit to X free visits per year. Having to pay does make the mojority of people think twice.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786964#Comment_119786964

What about those who cannot afford extra? Their medical needs are as urgent.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787073#Comment_119787073

I’m afraid I can’t give you those numbers, but as I did say in reply to your question, given the numbers of patients registered at each clinic, delays in appointments are inevitable, made worse of course by non urgent patients taking priority appointments. You do understand that you have a better chance of being one of them if your appointment is delayed as a result of your reluctance to access priority treatment by letting the Receptionist know why you need an urgent appointment.

Im struggling to see your attitude as anything other than detrimental to your health. Clinics require information in order to prioritise those who need urgent appointments, you refuse to give it so you cannot be considered a priority. But it is the Clinic’s/Receptionist’s fault?

If you think the wrong person is in charge of appointments, like the earlier poster, you need to find a Clinic where the GP answers the phones, books appointments, and sees the patients at the time they prefer to be seen. Shouldn’t be a problem for you to find one of those.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787452#Comment_119787452

Im not suggesting a large charge - Even a €10 extra charge would filter out the people who could wait to see their GP next week or the week after. The GP could use their discretion whether they want to charge their patient extra if the complaint was worthy of an urgent appointment.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787514#Comment_119787514

How would that be applied to people with medical cards/entitled by age to free treatment?

iamstop

I usually just say I need to get a prescription renewed. It's vague enough but to the point.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787479#Comment_119787479

No, of course you can't give any opinion on the numbers who end up in A&E or admitted to hospital due to not being seen by a GP in a timely manner, but you have an opinion on everything else. Why am I not surprised?

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787514#Comment_119787514

Have you any ldea how pensioners and those on benefits cope? That even E5 would be impossible for us? Let alone E10? Sure it would prevent us from getting help and then becoming more ill for havin to wait? NB I almost never see a doctor. just ask for repeat prescriptions but if i needed to I could not manage that extra. And this is good elder care ?

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786897#Comment_119786897

So you're suggesting a receptionist is qualified to conduct a phone consultation, assess clinical symptoms and conclude whether it may or may not be a medical emergency?

You should call all the medical schools and tell them they can cut back on their training programmes so.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787792#Comment_119787792

Grace I do understand that some people cannot afford this but as I said previously the GP could use their discretion on charging this to people they know cant afford it. Unfortunatley everyone is not like you and only goes to the GP when they have to - there are people who abuse the privilage of free GP care.

Believe me as someone who is working and not entitled to a medical or GP card I am only too well aware of not being able to afford to see a GP. My GP charges €60 per visit - as a family we try to visit the GP as little as possible which also I can tell you can put our health at risk.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787834#Comment_119787834

..and we're back to all these emergencies rocking up to a GP looking for an appointment, instead of going to hospital.

..and not wanting to go to hospital, or the DDoc, because it will cost more, and tbh its not an emergency.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787839#Comment_119787839

My GP charges €60 per visit - as a family we try to visit the GP as little as possible which also I can tell you can put our health at risk.

Add on prescription charges too, many lower-paid workers who are just outside the cut off point for a GP or medical card struggle. They often have no state support and are liable for the full cost of all their living expenses, including accommodation which is incredibly expensive.

It's not unreasonable to expect GP/MC holders to pay €5 per visit after they have had so many free visits per year. The free child medical card has dramatically increased the number of children attending surgeries unnecessarily.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787878#Comment_119787878

Well we are supposed to attend our GP for non-emergency healthcare, yet we have to convince a non-medically trained receptionist that we have an emergency to get an appointment. A receptionist that can't actually diagnose so ....

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787901#Comment_119787901

Really you are arguing the point that people scream emergency when it isn't.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787918#Comment_119787918

No, I'm arguing that a receptionist cannot diagnose an emergency condition regardless of how many symptoms they can tick off a list. They are not trained and qualified to do so.

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787878#Comment_119787878

You are getting more ridiculous - For example if Im sick today with an ear infection I need to see a GP - why the hell would I go to hospital with an ear infection. You have to accept that some ailments should be dealt by a GP rather than A & E. Its impossible to get GP appointments though!

This is where the system is wrong - a receptionist advising go to A & E for a complaint that can be dealt with easily by a GP is crazy. Thats whats happening though. No wonder A & E departments are jammed.

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119785809#Comment_119785809

You’re still arguing the same point - that a receptionist shouldn’t get to determine whether or not a person should be prioritised for access to a GP. To me that suggests you’re arguing it should be the person themselves who makes the decision and the receptionist just make the appointment. Like Legs said there was a time when you could call to make an appointment and not have to give an explanation, but that time is long gone. Nowadays surgeries are busy with some surgeries chronically under pressure due to the demands on healthcare. Your expectations are unrealistic, frankly.

And yes, I’m well aware that delays in treating an issue can lead to greater consequences; in my own experience it was that I had a click hip which all babies are tested for at birth, was missed. It didn’t occur to my GP when I was in my teens either, so he sent me to an orthopaedic specialist, who knew what the issue was almost immediately. The point I’m making is that while I agree with you that things being missed can cause delays which mean a persons health can become worse, I don’t agree that expecting to be prioritised in a community healthcare setting means the person should be, without any kind of explanation as to why they need to be prioritised.

I’m not a medical professional either, and I don’t mean to be rude, but a person displaying those symptoms needs emergency surgery to remove their head from their rear orifice. There’s no battle of wills there other than the one you’re choosing to invent on the basis you imagine the receptionist isn’t doing their job as you expect they should be doing their job, by prioritising people on the basis that they demand to see their GP with no explanation necessary.

The reason I emphasised the circumstances where a person is making an appointment on behalf of someone else is because in just the same way as the OP isn’t at liberty to discuss their daughter’s health with the receptionist, the receptionist isn’t at liberty to discuss a person’s health with someone who isn’t the person who needs to see the GP. That issue obviously isn’t a concern if you imagine the receptionist is only supposed to act in accordance with how you imagine they should do their job. The person calling to make an appointment aren’t under any obligation to respect patient confidentiality, but the receptionist is. If the issue is of a particularly sensitive nature and the person would rather speak to the GP than the receptionist, the receptionist cannot be held responsible for the delay in the person getting to seeing the GP those circumstances unless they fail to inform the GP that the person wants a callback from the GP.

I might be given to agreeing with you that your position is reasonable if I actually thought calling the surgery to make an appointment with my GP was a battle of wills with the receptionist, or that I had to kiss their arse to get an appointment, but seeing as I don’t have to do any of that, and just explain why I need to see the GP, there’s never any drama and it doesn’t involve a whole lot of discussion, let alone feeling like an interrogation.

witchgirl26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119786759#Comment_119786759

Actually a huge number of the the patients of the practice are older. They still have phone lines that you can ring but they've managed to move a lot of the younger clients to doing their business online with them so that the phones are kept a bit more free for the older patients of the practice who really need to ring up.

My mam would be considered older (over 70) but 9 times out of 10 now, she'll sort out an urgent app online because it's a bit easier than over the phone.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119787940#Comment_119787940

You need to read your own posts. You want to see a GP when there are none (available).

Your question answers itself.