Doctor's staff with no brain
Discussion
My elderly mother was ill yesterday and after checking blood pressure, sugar levels I checked her blood oxygen levels which indicated low.
Rather then take her sleight to A + E I thought I call round to the Docs surgery to ask them to confirm the reading.
For these who don't know the oxymeter is a little gadget that goes on top of the figure and reads the blood oxygen levels
Can't do that the receptionist told me, we haven't got one.
I pointed out that all the Doctors have them
But we can't disturb the Doctors said the receptionist said
I pointed out only one of the Doctors was on and so there was at least three gadgets available as there are four consulting rooms.
Receptionist thought about it, then spoke to the other receptionist who suggested speaking to the practice manager. Manager said something to her and she told me, I will go and ask the Doctor
Off she want coming back two minutes later, Doctor says you need to go to A + E
So off we go to A + E, sit in the waiting area for two hours and finally get called into triage, why did you not go to the GP asked the nurse.
Rather then take her sleight to A + E I thought I call round to the Docs surgery to ask them to confirm the reading.
For these who don't know the oxymeter is a little gadget that goes on top of the figure and reads the blood oxygen levels
Can't do that the receptionist told me, we haven't got one.
I pointed out that all the Doctors have them
But we can't disturb the Doctors said the receptionist said
I pointed out only one of the Doctors was on and so there was at least three gadgets available as there are four consulting rooms.
Receptionist thought about it, then spoke to the other receptionist who suggested speaking to the practice manager. Manager said something to her and she told me, I will go and ask the Doctor
Off she want coming back two minutes later, Doctor says you need to go to A + E
So off we go to A + E, sit in the waiting area for two hours and finally get called into triage, why did you not go to the GP asked the nurse.
NickCQ said:
You could have... made a GP appointment, rather than pitching up on the off chance and trying to skip the queue?
Indeed. There is nothing doctors and their receptionists like better than some random relative who has no idea about confidentiality or queueing telling them how to do their job.The answer is simple, the OP should go private if he wants the medical profession on fast dial.
eldar said:
Indeed. There is nothing doctors and their receptionists like better than some random relative who has no idea about confidentiality or queueing telling them how to do their job.
The answer is simple, the OP should go private if he wants the medical profession on fast dial.
Yes it is so inconsiderate for my mother to get ill, I shall tell her in future to warn everyone ahead of time if she plans to feel unwell in future.The answer is simple, the OP should go private if he wants the medical profession on fast dial.
It would have taken the staff two minutes to check the readings and saved use having to go into hospital and bother the staff in hospital, so inconsiderate of me to expect the GP do do their job.
I just asked to use a £20 gadget to check a reading, I did not need to see anyone.
Macski said:
eldar said:
Indeed. There is nothing doctors and their receptionists like better than some random relative who has no idea about confidentiality or queueing telling them how to do their job.
The answer is simple, the OP should go private if he wants the medical profession on fast dial.
Yes it is so inconsiderate for my mother to get ill, I shall tell her in future to warn everyone ahead of time if she plans to feel unwell in future.The answer is simple, the OP should go private if he wants the medical profession on fast dial.
It would have taken the staff two minutes to check the readings and saved use having to go into hospital and bother the staff in hospital, so inconsiderate of me to expect the GP do do their job.
I just asked to use a £20 gadget to check a reading, I did not need to see anyone.
I think the OP was very sensible.
After all if the GP had let him use a piece of personal medical equipment to diagnose someone what's the worst that could happen.
Nope, based on the OP's sensible thinking, I'm taking my own parts to my local garage, demanding to use their ramp and tools whilst it's not in use.
After all if the GP had let him use a piece of personal medical equipment to diagnose someone what's the worst that could happen.
Nope, based on the OP's sensible thinking, I'm taking my own parts to my local garage, demanding to use their ramp and tools whilst it's not in use.
Perhaps you should have rung the surgery first, then they could have given you a time to come down, turning up, and by the sounds of it being rude to the staff is going to get you nowhere. I suspect if you were polite you might have got further.
How do you know only one doctor in surgery? Who else was there? Nurses, midwives, UCPs, ACPs, ANPs, pharmacists? They would have needed a pulse oximeter, there could have also been clinicians who don't need it, but are using the room, for example, a councilor.
Do you know what the readings on the pulse oximeter mean or would you have demanded the doctor comes out to interpret it?
I just don't understand how people rock up places (not just GP surgeries) expecting to be dealt with there and then, that's not how general practice works, and not how real life works. Somebody has already used the car garage example, which would have been mine so would you have gone into the hairdresser and said "that seats empty, can I cut my mum's hair with your clippers, they're only £20"
I feel sorry for the receptionist that had to deal with you, and the GP who being the sole GP working, who would have been under huge stress then having to be interrupted to be asked, "somebody just rocked up off the street wanting to use a pulse oximeter, can he?"
I suggest buying yourself one, they're cheap enough aren't they?
How do you know only one doctor in surgery? Who else was there? Nurses, midwives, UCPs, ACPs, ANPs, pharmacists? They would have needed a pulse oximeter, there could have also been clinicians who don't need it, but are using the room, for example, a councilor.
Do you know what the readings on the pulse oximeter mean or would you have demanded the doctor comes out to interpret it?
I just don't understand how people rock up places (not just GP surgeries) expecting to be dealt with there and then, that's not how general practice works, and not how real life works. Somebody has already used the car garage example, which would have been mine so would you have gone into the hairdresser and said "that seats empty, can I cut my mum's hair with your clippers, they're only £20"
I feel sorry for the receptionist that had to deal with you, and the GP who being the sole GP working, who would have been under huge stress then having to be interrupted to be asked, "somebody just rocked up off the street wanting to use a pulse oximeter, can he?"
I suggest buying yourself one, they're cheap enough aren't they?
Macski said:
My elderly mother was ill yesterday and after checking blood pressure, sugar levels I checked her blood oxygen levels which indicated low.
Rather then take her sleight to A + E I thought I call round to the Docs surgery to ask them to confirm the reading.
For these who don't know the oxymeter is a little gadget that goes on top of the figure and reads the blood oxygen levels
Can't do that the receptionist told me, we haven't got one.
I pointed out that all the Doctors have them
But we can't disturb the Doctors said the receptionist said
I pointed out only one of the Doctors was on and so there was at least three gadgets available as there are four consulting rooms.
Receptionist thought about it, then spoke to the other receptionist who suggested speaking to the practice manager. Manager said something to her and she told me, I will go and ask the Doctor
Off she want coming back two minutes later, Doctor says you need to go to A + E
So off we go to A + E, sit in the waiting area for two hours and finally get called into triage, why did you not go to the GP asked the nurse.
Without wanting to sound harsh are you capable of interprenting the data you're getting. Rather then take her sleight to A + E I thought I call round to the Docs surgery to ask them to confirm the reading.
For these who don't know the oxymeter is a little gadget that goes on top of the figure and reads the blood oxygen levels
Can't do that the receptionist told me, we haven't got one.
I pointed out that all the Doctors have them
But we can't disturb the Doctors said the receptionist said
I pointed out only one of the Doctors was on and so there was at least three gadgets available as there are four consulting rooms.
Receptionist thought about it, then spoke to the other receptionist who suggested speaking to the practice manager. Manager said something to her and she told me, I will go and ask the Doctor
Off she want coming back two minutes later, Doctor says you need to go to A + E
So off we go to A + E, sit in the waiting area for two hours and finally get called into triage, why did you not go to the GP asked the nurse.
O2 levels being 'low' is a pretty broad spectrum. Interpretting this would dictate your response (keep an eye on it, ring the gp for an appointment, go to a and e or ring an ambulance.
You also need to be aware of how health conditions will effect normal O2 levels which will therefore help with interpreting the data you're getting.
Are you medically trained in any way. It sounds like you're helping to keep your mums health in check which is admirable but if you don't have faith in what you're using then buy something you do and get some advice. If you're concerned enough to drive to a surgery and ask to borrow their medical kit it will be far more productive to get an appointment or call for a telephone consultation.
Macski said:
why did you not go to the GP asked the nurse.
You realise she meant ‘why didn’t you book a GP appointment’ rather than ‘why didn’t you attend a surgery without an appointment and ask to borrow equipment’ right? I blame the imergrunts. We’d have far more appointments available if it weren’t for these NHS tourists. Etc etc. And the EU, naturally.
Well she didn't conveniently start feeling unwell at 8 in the morning when the GP takes booking for the day, by 8.30 all the bookings are gone.
Reason I went to the GP is because GPs are there to take care of my mothers' health, that is their job, that is their business! I didn't need to see the GP anyway,
The reason I wanted to check the oxymeter reading is because while the oxymeter was telling me their was a problem, the blood pressure and pulse rate was telling me they were in normal range, so was not sure what to make of it. The receptionist are now according to the GP surgery 'trained health advisers'.
111, during surgery hours they will refer me back to the Doctors surgery
Next time I am just ringing the ambulance
If I do have a problem with my car, one of the mechanics will come out, speak to me, even look at my car and advice me if it needs work, if it is safe to use and if it is a small thing like change the light bulb he will do it there and then. I don't pay tax to support my local garage either.
Reason I went to the GP is because GPs are there to take care of my mothers' health, that is their job, that is their business! I didn't need to see the GP anyway,
The reason I wanted to check the oxymeter reading is because while the oxymeter was telling me their was a problem, the blood pressure and pulse rate was telling me they were in normal range, so was not sure what to make of it. The receptionist are now according to the GP surgery 'trained health advisers'.
111, during surgery hours they will refer me back to the Doctors surgery
Next time I am just ringing the ambulance
If I do have a problem with my car, one of the mechanics will come out, speak to me, even look at my car and advice me if it needs work, if it is safe to use and if it is a small thing like change the light bulb he will do it there and then. I don't pay tax to support my local garage either.
Edited by Macski on Thursday 11th July 00:05
Macski said:
Next time I am just ringing the ambulance
Well that seems a childishly spiteful reaction to learning that your expectations were unreasonable.Macski said:
If I do have a problem with my car, one of the mechanics will come out, speak to me, even look at my car and advice me if it needs work, if it is safe to use and if it is a small thing like change the light bulb he will do it there and then. I don't pay tax to support my local garage either.
Christ on a bike. Amazing analogy. But three things wouldn’t happen. 1. The local garage receptionist wouldn’t lend you their tools to diagnose the health of your mother. 2. The mechanic wouldn’t stop helping other people who HAVE made an appointment to come out into the car park and diagnose the health of your mother just because you have the unrealistic expectation that they should, and 3. The mechanic definitely wouldn’t change your mother’s light bulb for free.
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