Why aren't GP surgeries designed for greater privacy?

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Sage-Freke-@reddit

Yeah I tried speaking to the receptionist only to be met with a blank look because they were sat behind a Perspex screen which feels a bit over the top. so I had to shout about my issue.

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Duke0fWellington@reddit

You say its over the top but the GP receptionist hate is very palpable across reddit. They're on the receiving end of a lot of shit.

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ParentheticalsAside@reddit (OP)

Exactly this. Patients coming to ask sensitive questions or hand in urine samples are required to announce it to everyone, rather than having a discreet reception area separate from the waiting room.

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EfficientRegret@reddit

tbf i'm quite childish so i loudly announced "here's the pot of urine you asked for" when handing in a sample a year ago

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sock_cooker@reddit

I'm like that at the sexual health clinic, the receptionist is cool with it- like "oh just here to get something frozen off" and she'll say "just the usual then?"

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BasisOk4268@reddit

I had to do a stool sample last year and said to the receptionist; ‘it’s just a bit of poo’ trying to vaguely reference Johnny English lol

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mierneuker@reddit

I really enjoy saying things like "here's my kid's poo you weirdo" when dropping a sample off. It usually then requires further clarification, but I get a few seconds of amusement out of it.

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I’ve just recovered from kidney stones and an infection. The last time I was at the doctor, I had blood taken and had to provide a urine sample. I handed them to the receptionist and said, “Here, have all of my bodily fluids” - old boys in the waiting area laughed, as did the receptionist. Could have been worse.

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JennyW93@reddit

I go with “I hope you’re ready to take the piss!”

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mrminutehand@reddit

Reminds me of my local antenatal clinic waiting room.

Urine samples before midwife appointments. Samples given to the midwife.

Except there's no receiving tray.

So you sit back down in the waiting room cradling your warm cup of urine.

Next to the five other mothers sitting down cradling their warm cups of urine.

It's an interesting social club.

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Bore_Da_Pawb@reddit

When I was pregnant a few years back, I did my sample, slipped the bottle into my handbag so I didn’t have to sit for an hour or more waiting with a little bottle of piss in my hand. By the time I got into the appointment they didn’t ask for the sample, I forgot to offer it, and I didn’t use that handbag for months afterwards. When I next used it and my husband rifled through the little compartments in the side of my bag and found a 3m old bottle of piss he had some questions 😂

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Cow_Launcher@reddit

Take along a box of apple juice and a clean sample cup.

Secretly fill the sample cup.

Engage in casual conversation with the other mothers.

Sip from the cup.

Wince in faux discomfort, but keep sipping.

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Gazebo_Warrior@reddit

They just breaking you in gently for the complete and utter lack of dignity you're about to experience during the birth.

At one point in one of my labours I realised that the door to the corridor was wide open, staff and other women's birthing partners walking past. I was stark naked with my arse facing the door. And I was so knackered I didn't even have the energy to complain.

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KiwiJean@reddit

Yeah the same happened to me when I had a monthly appointment with my dermatologist for a pregnancy check (I was on accutane so they have to do it every month before giving you your next prescription).

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sc33g11@reddit

By 40 weeks this felt very normal but 2 years on I’m realising how absolutely mad this was hahaha

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theteapls@reddit

Yep. I had to pick up a chlamydia test kit cos it was part of my fertility referral apparently. You can't speak quietly because of that stupid screen so now all the patients that were in the surgery that day probably think I have chlamydia lol.

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maybenomaybe@reddit

When Iived in Canada, at one GP's office I had, if you had to give a urine sample there was a little cabinet on the wall in the toilet that opened to the other side of the wall. So you put your sample in the cabinet and they picked it up from the other side after you left. Very discreet.

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TheAdamena@reddit

Yeah I hate how we still have perspex screens everywhere, leftover from them being put up during Covid.

It's so hard to hear people through it.

Like I get it being in doctor's surgery's as the people there may be ill, but it seems like every other supermarket has them still.

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catssocksandcoffee@reddit

We have perspex screens where I work because a patient once reached over the desk and attacked one of our receptionists. We had them way before covid because of this

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TheAdamena@reddit

Doesn't surprise me one bit unfortunately. Seems in almost every public facing job there are posters about zero tolerence to harassment and abuse - and those aren't gonna be there without a real reason.

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Pockysocks@reddit

Trust me, it's not over the top. They get a lot of abuse.

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ItsDominare@reddit

you only think people are listening to your conversation because you're self-admittedly the kind of person who listens to other people's

most of the rest of us don't give a shit

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

I find it equally uncomfortable when you need to confirm your full name and address when collecting a prescription for the whole queue to hear

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ImColinDentHowzTrix@reddit

Which is weird when you think about it, because names and addresses come under data protection laws. You'd think there would be a more subtle way of confirmation by now.

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bobble173@reddit

Ask for them to use your DOB. We are happy to do this for patients where I work.

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Fit_Adhesiveness7307@reddit

I find that even worse. I look very young for my age and it’s super embarrassing when people gasp. That’s happened multiple times. Twice when buying alcohol, a shop assistant has showed my ID to another one and exclaimed loudly that there’s no way I’m that age. Or, I’ve also been disbelieved before because they just can’t believe I’m really that age, it must be my sister. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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RedWife77@reddit

I was standing behind a minor celebrity a few months ago when he was collecting a prescription from our local pharmacy. They shouted out his name, then asked him for his address and postcode. So now I know where he lives - I probably wouldn’t even have noticed him if they hadn’t done that.

Well, I’m saying I know where he lives - I’ve forgotten now! But imagine if I’d been his Number One Fan!

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Fit_Adhesiveness7307@reddit

I’m reading Misery right now and got that reference.

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Dazz316@reddit

Take a note with you next time and show them it.

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

Someone else commented this - no idea why I didn’t think to do that before - absolutely just doing that from now on

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I_sew_and_grow@reddit

Yes, or when you ask for something at the counter and they say AND WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD THRUSH?

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flyingfoxtrot_@reddit

I had a pharmacist whisper the name of the antidepressants I was picking up, you know, for my privacy and dignity. Only to then LOUDLY announce the anti diarrhea meds I was also picking up to the entire queue.

"here's your mirtazapine, AND TAKE THESE OTHER PILLS THREE TIMES A DAY FOR YOUR LOOSE STOOLS." Thanks Deborah, now half of Tesco knows I have IBS.

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ScriptingInJava@reddit

Went to pick up my ADHD meds a few months ago and the pharmacist says discreetly *"do you mind if they're in a clear, see-through bag?"

Then after I say I don't mind she follows up with, at full volume, BECAUSE THEY'RE A CONTROLLED DRUG, I NEED TO SEE SOME ID JAMES

Cheers love 👍

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ratfancier@reddit

I don't like that my controlled drugs are dispensed with a large unmissable purple CONTROLLED DRUGS sticker on the outside of the bag that might as well say STEAL ME I'M THE GOOD STUFF. I put them away in another bag straight away, but it can still make me feel slightly uncomfortable, not knowing who's seen me receive obviously desirable drugs. (I also make sure I've always got my ID ready for them so I can show it discreetly without having to be asked.) I realise it's to help avoid mistakes in their internal processes, but it does kinda broadcast the contents a bit too much for my liking.

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ScriptingInJava@reddit

Can't say I get the same label, then again where I live is practically a retirement home masquerading as a city so the only threat around here is a Honda Jazz doing 27 in a 60.

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ratfancier@reddit

Must be down to the preference of your local pharmacist. The stickers mine uses are like this, 5cm across.

My local area is mostly fine, not particularly rough, but you never know. Innocent little old Edna might be jonesing and I hear she's pretty handy with that stick.

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c19isdeadly@reddit

Weird. I take 2 controlled drugs and i have never seen a sticker like this

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rambi2222@reddit

Same! I collect my mother's dihydrocodeine and morphine every week for her and they don't ask to see any ID (thankfully) and there isn't this sticker on the bag. All I need to do is give them her date of birth and address

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FishUK_Harp@reddit

Mine are like that but BRIGHT red. Couldn't be less inconspicuous.

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ratfancier@reddit

How… subtle.

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quellflynn@reddit

god wow. how many times have you been robbed of your pills?

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ratfancier@reddit

Haha good point, nobody should ever feel slightly cautious about something unless they've already been violently attacked. Thank you for being the voice of rationality.

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DrNick2012@reddit

"now all of China knows you have projectile water shits!"

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HiddenSynner@reddit

😂

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LogPlane1030@reddit

I need to poop

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I_sew_and_grow@reddit

I give you permission

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Substantial-Heat6846@reddit

I don't

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jp0202@reddit

That and doctors shouting your full name for everyone to hear when it's your turn. Can't they get a numbers system going or something? Absolute joke.

I resorted to showing my name and address typed on my phone. Nobody around me need to know where I live.

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Mr_Bumcrest@reddit

Why?

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

Are you a guy? If so that explains why you don’t feel bothered about random people knowing where you live

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pervertsage@reddit

It's not a "guy thing". I'm a man and I'm very bothered about random people knowing where I live.

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

You’re not the one asking why though

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ehsteve23@reddit

i usually just say road name or post code

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MDL1983@reddit

I was just going to say this. I am on life-long meds collected monthly, so shitloads of people could know where i live lol.

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bobble173@reddit

Ask them if they can use DOB instead. We are more than happy to do thos for patients where i work.

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MDL1983@reddit

I’d rather present ID they can read rather than audibly announce my presence lol

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bobble173@reddit

Yes this would be fine also, just ask the staff :)

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DarkNinjaPenguin@reddit

Just in case you've ever seen a phone book - it's very easy for someone to find out where you live.

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Negative_Call584@reddit

When was the last time you saw a phone book? It’s 2026 man, not 2006.

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DarkNinjaPenguin@reddit

They still exist online, unless you've opted out from the open register someone can find your address from your name most of the time.

And even if you have opted out, your details are probably available for purchase along with millions of others.

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MDL1983@reddit

I opt out and use incogni, I know there are no guarantees but I’d rather minimise my footprint

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

True but the concern is more if some weirdo overhearing likes the look of you and decides it would be fun to visit your address. As a woman living alone it’s always something better to be cautious with unfortunately, particularly after some weirdo did once find out where I lived and sent weird letters to my address

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Tattycakes@reddit

I guess they could also just follow you home from there

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Ok_Advantage_8153@reddit

Dont bring common sense into this. Its forbidden on the internet.

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Pockysocks@reddit

You can choose to confirm via date of birth if you are uncomfortable with providing address.

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

I wasn’t aware of this - good to know!

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Pockysocks@reddit

On top of that, you can just write your details on a piece of paper. A number of folk who come into my pharmacy even have a laminated card with something like "I would like to collect the prescription for

" typed on it.

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Airurando-jin@reddit

I started using Pharmacy2U because I was getting fed up of going and it either not being ready or not downloaded from the spine yet and having to wait half an hour for to be told that once I get to ten counter.

That said, they were good with gdpr. They’d call your name, and ask you to check the label (with address) was correct. No conversations out loud about meds unless you were asking for them to be ordered

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Pockysocks@reddit

If they did as you say they did, they broke GDPR. I've had so many people approach the counter to someone else's name. If I asked them to confirm from the label, I'd have just shown a stranger your name and address.

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eraserway@reddit

In a similar vein, does anyone else's pharmacy keep boxes of prescriptions ON the counter? I've seen this in two different Boots pharmacies. Anyone standing there waiting can clearly see other people's full names and personal details - not even by being intentionally nosey, they're just hard to miss.

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BigLittleSlof@reddit

I had a pharmacist basically shout over the counter "It's all in the one bag, even your 'x'". I was kinda like why tf are you telling everyone what I'm taking lol

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bacon_cake@reddit

The whole thing's a bit naff given that it's 2026 and given the epic data protection we have everywhere else.

Want someone else's meds? Just learn their name and address, that's literally all you need.

Want some random people's addresses? Just hang about for five minutes.

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ImThatBitchNoodles@reddit

I was confirming my address for the pharmacist once only for the man behind me to say that he knows where I live because he lived in the same house!

We live in a small town. I didn't feel unsafe, but it was definitely a bit uncomfortable and odd.

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claypolejr@reddit

Hider In The House.

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Agitated_Strain_6260@reddit

I had that happen to me too! I'd been in the mew house for 3 days and he proceeds to tell me his dad died in the main bedroom 😬

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Puppygirl621@reddit

Nah thats great, if you get ghosts you know who to deliver it to after you catch it in a mason jar.

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togtogtog@reddit

You can have it ready written on a piece of paper if you prefer.

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Plus-Ambassador-9668@reddit

I do this now, after my manager (children’s SW) had to collect a prescription in the chemist in front of a parent who had already threatened to bomb our office

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

This is such a good point - no idea why I haven’t done that! Thank you

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Mccobsta@reddit

I've had someone on a packed bus do that when they had a call from their gp

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Parshath_@reddit

This goes along with my personal opinion on personal IDs, but let's say I don't find very comfortable to be providing my name, date of birth, phone number, and entire address in public to an audience of an entire waiting room and who knows what ears.

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NuisancePenguin44@reddit

I find it baffling that I go to pick up my so's prescription and they literally just give it to me with no questions or proof required. I could be anyone

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ManInTheDarkSuit@reddit

I collected a prescription a few years back and the guy in front of me gave his address and my old address. Nothing interesting aside from that.

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Weary_Environment837@reddit

My doctor’s surgery actually has a separate waiting room from the reception area. They play music and it’s chill vibes. You can’t hear anything going on in the other rooms and if you have a sensitive issue when you mention you want privacy they bring you the side door in the reception area.

Only down side is it’s hard to get an appointment and took me 3 months to get my ankle investigated after I had an injury.

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irrelevantsituations@reddit

I recently was sat waiting in A and E. At my local hospital you check in at a front desk which is situated in a fairly small room with a single row of chairs. You then wait on said chairs while a nurse behind the front desk triages you and decides which emergency department you get sent to such as minor injuries, children's, emergencies etc. The front desk is fronted with perspex and those small speaker things that never work so you have to shout. Whilst I was waiting to be triaged a man came in and ended up needing to shout through the perspex that he had a vape stuck up hes butt.

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tommangan7@reddit

I once received an enema while a nurse explained how to put the adult diaper on.

I was in a small 4 bed ward during visiting hours where lots of people were in, I was behind a thin curtain. Luckily I was mates with 2 of the other 3 so we had a bit of a laugh after.

At this point I couldn't care less what anyone in the GPs hears about me.

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SovegnaVos@reddit

Eh. I'm not that bothered, to be honest. We're all in there for something or other and none of it's embarrassing, it's just bodies. It's kind of like Vegas - what you hear in the waiting room, stays in the waiting room. I try not to pay attention to other peoples' conversations and hope that everyone else does the same.

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lizziexo@reddit

I’m the same. Does anyone remember what the people looked like the last time they were in the doctors waiting room? Or the name of any of these people they overheard? Probably not. It’s just passing natter that no one recalls after 3 minutes.

Obviously there will always be the occasional weirdo who will do something odd like write it down or record things they overhear but I doubt that’s a common issue.

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Jaraxo@reddit

Came here to say exactly this. I couldn't even tell you the name of the doctor I saw last time I was at the GP, let alone the name or anything else relating to any other patients.

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ThePr0tag0n1st@reddit

And yet, we both know that the city GPs would be getting privacy layouts before any small town gp would.

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DoublePepper1976@reddit

"^Hi, ^I'm ^concered ^about ^some ^swelling... ^in ^my ^priva-"

"Margret! See if Doctor Smith is back from lunch! John wants someone to examine his penis! He's concerned about swelling!

Now just be a dear and take a seat down there for me. Thank you honey. And yes just leave the door open. It's too hot in here otherwise."

Names changed but this happened to me quite recently in Scotland, and the hospital was no better.

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Correct_Elk2320@reddit

Simple- they don’t care and nobody cares. You are just a subject in a class system. Cannon fodder.

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GeneralMedia1282@reddit

I've had to pick up several perscriptions from hospital pharmacy, the place is always absolutely rammed and all the perspex covers mean both sides really struggle to hear. The pharmacist had to call the clinic to check dosage of a medication and I had to essentially yell twice, it was the RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE CLINIC. Just not what I wanted to yell in front of 30 pissed off people.

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Ascribbleintime@reddit

Got sent to A&E after seeing a paramedic about extreme back pain - like I literally couldn't walk 3 steps without bursting into tears. I was also 3-4 weeks pregnant. Only just found out. My brother had to take me to urgent care and A&E as we have another little one I had to leave with my husband. Understandably I was not telling anyone else yet that I was pregnant as it was so soon and as far as I knew this could be me losing this pregnancy.

I remember hobbling in tears to the reception desk at A&E with the information I was given from the paramedic at urgent care - who was very concerned there was a major spinal issue and wanted a urgent MRI. She looked at it then loudly shouted 'WHAT YOUR PREGNANT!? ' She got promptly told off by her colleagues (in a hush hush you don't say it like that way) and thankfully my brother was parking up and not with me but it was mortifying and horrendous that in a moment of vulnerability she almost blew up something I wasn't ready to talk about.

I didn't get the MRI. Doctor had a bee in their bonnet that I saw a paramedic at urgent care so dismissed everything and lied that I already had an MRI booked in (I didn't, I chased this up)

And people wonder why we have no faith in using the systems we have in place for health care 🙃

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ViolinistDirect4536@reddit

I was sat in a GP not long ago

They had a TV on in the waiting room, just on a news channel

Whilst there it turned itself off on some kind of auto timer

Could immediately hear all the details a guy seeing a Dr in the room next to us was saying to them about his hemorrhoids….

Me & the other person in the waiting room looked at each other uncomfortably & both agreed we should immediately switch the TV back on

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Luceiane@reddit

Just last week my neighbour overhead my dentist receptionist on the phone to me about a change in my medical history. They met me on the way home and told me.

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LazyViolas@reddit

My daughter was Facebook stalked by a guy who saw her name come up on the patient call in display.

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HugsforCuddles@reddit

Did you report that to the NHS ? Awful breach of privacy.

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Not_Wrong_Tho@reddit

Pretty much every GP or surgery I've been to, every dentist i've been too even.. has called out patients by their full name, or otherwise displayed them on a monitor to call them through.

I find it hard to imagine you actually believe thats an "awful breach of privacy".

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danabrey@reddit

To do what? These screens are in every surgery.

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LazyViolas@reddit

Nope, that’s the system most surgeries use so it wouldn’t change anything.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit

Please report this to the nhs!

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Darkus185@reddit

Also we have one of those little pharmacy consultation rooms where I went in. Tiny little place, the door shuts behind you. Then on hearing someone chat in there a few weeks later realised the entire pharmacy would have heard about my fungal toenail.

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Grand_Equipment5292@reddit

"I said, I'M HERE ABOUT MY PENIS REDUCTION!"

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Hotcoffeetogo@reddit

User name checks out.

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HiddenSynner@reddit

So does yours.... I'll have a Americano please.

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Hotcoffeetogo@reddit

🤣

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Second_Guess_25@reddit

Pro Tip I got from my lovely nurse: Write your ailment(s) down on a Post It Note and give it to Reception :) That way you're not declaring your STD's to everyone in the room. Also works with Pharmacies!

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Bald_Plonker@reddit

Also a preferred tactic of bank robbers. Just make sure not to mix up your STD note and your bank heist note.

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DameKumquat@reddit

Also works for your complicated name when giving it to the pharmacist!

My local pharmacist now just shoves paper and pen at you if you say you're there for a prescription. Untill you become a recognised regular.

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Tacklestiffener@reddit

I used to know someone with a really long Polish surname. Even other Polish people said it was complicated. He had his credit card stolen and the thief tried to use it in a London department store.

The person behind the counter... was his daughter, who obviously knew it wasn't her Dad Bizarre coincidence.

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Sburns85@reddit

Because it’s just the way it is. And 99% of people just don’t care what you are doing

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middle_riddle@reddit

I tend to write my details on a piece of paper and hand it to the receptionist

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External-Basket6701@reddit

Even Pharmacy shops have a private sectioned off area or room.

Only this evening I visited mine and was shaking and body trembling crying (grieving recent loss of parent) , and I quietly asked the receptionist if there was a separate space I could wait in as I felt so embarrassed and unable to stop sobbing. She was as polite as she could be but said there was nowhere I could go except a half full waiting room where I continued to sob uncontrollably for about 4 minutes (felt like 4 years!!!) honestly, then I became really anxious and just snowballed from there. It was invasive and I’m still shaking now 😭💔

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ArsePotatoes_@reddit

At ours they have a small radio in the seating area. So that you can’t hear what’s being discussed at the desk two paces away, the radio is turned up SO FUCKING LOUD.

I hate it.

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Second_Guess_25@reddit

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WonFriendsWithSalad@reddit

As I doctor, we also hate this. Doubly bad if the patient is deaf, I've previously had to basically yell throughout conducting a rectal exam on a patient in a full bay behind curtains...

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BigLittleSlof@reddit

Was he deaf or were you just speaking into the wrong end?

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SoggyWotsits@reddit

Mine is the same. Also no music and no TV, so you can hear a pin drop apart from the talking between patient and receptionist. I always feel for those needing a stool sample pot.

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DaveBacon@reddit

My surgery has a load is speakers on the wall playing radio 2. It’s not too loud to be annoying, but loud enough that it helps with privacy.

There’s a sign that says it’s done because of patient feedback about privacy, so it may be worth complaining and see if something comes of it.

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Flat_Development6659@reddit

You can tell them that you'd prefer to speak in private with the doctor about your issue.

I imagine they need the area where sick people are waiting to be fairly public and central, if someone passes out or something they need to know.

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Silhouette@reddit

You can tell them that you'd prefer to speak in private with the doctor about your issue.

There is a decent chance these days that if you play that card and refuse to discuss your issue with the receptionist then they'll just deny your appointment. Most of the services I use even have a recorded message now before you can speak with anyone that make that clear with varying degrees of subtlety.

Receptionists working in healthcare should really be a regulated profession given the kinds of sensitive personal data they work with all the time and the importance of providing a professional gateway to vital services. But they aren't. So you get people who are tired from dealing with customer service all day then thinking they're doctors and giving you medical advice that they are completely unqualified to give and/or gatekeeping so you can't access the actual medical experts. And there is no meaningful sanction no matter how chatty they get with your personal details or how careless they are with completing that urgent referral because it's more likely in a lot of parts of the UK that you need the services of your local GP surgery or NHS dentist than that they need you.

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DirectionSpecific103@reddit

Last time I was at the surgery the nurse came in to the waiting room to call the next patient in. I think she called something like 'john' or 'mike' and no surname. Two men stood up but the nurse obviously knew which patient was hers. What I found bad was she made a joke about it by saying to the other guy 'are you here for a vitamin b12 injection too?' to which everyone laughed but I did think that was quite bad!

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Bran04don@reddit

Yes its awful. All gp surgeries ive been to are like this.

And then you are also sitting close to many other people often specifically there as there is something wrong with them and often coughing without covering or keeping clear of others.

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silentdragoon@reddit

For context, I went to a high end hospital in Shanghai for a health check and the guy ahead of me wasn't allowed to get his shirt and pants on before I was ushered in so it's all relative

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Harribo1034@reddit

I had this few months ago fully packed waiting room with few in Que behind me hearing everything from what I was there for and my name address ect

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d3gu@reddit

Everyone gets poorly, everyone has bodies. So what?

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Carafaggio@reddit

Yeah, once years ago I booked an appointment in person (back when you could do that...) and they asked why and I had to say hemorrhoids with some old guy also stood at the desk next to me. And I said it with such shock like "HEMMORHOIDS?!??!?"

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Right?

Also, why the heck do we have to share anything health related with a receptionist??

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originalwombat@reddit

Imagine how much doctor time would be wasted if the receptionist got no info. Never ever understood this argument

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Really? Telling your symptoms to someone who is not qualified, never took an oath is okay with you? Do you discuss your health issues with random strangers? Moreover, do these random people hold the actual power to make decisions about you and whether your issue is "serious enough"?

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kb-g@reddit

The oath taken by doctors says nothing about confidentiality. Reception staff are bound by the same confidentiality rules as doctors and nurses.

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originalwombat@reddit

They are not random they are medical receptionists! They hold absolutely no power whatsoever and are paid about £5 an hour to be abused by meanies like you

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Okay, now I have to ask you, what kind of training do you think they get?

(Also, the minimum wage is 13.71 per hour. If you add these kinds of obviously untrue statements to your comments, you automatically lower the value of your contribution.)

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originalwombat@reddit

You don’t really have many friends do you x

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

What kind of response is this?

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NotoriousP_U_G@reddit

Because they aren’t medically qualified to triage people correctly. There are many symptoms which sound minor to the average person, but, when presenting together can be quite serious

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kb-g@reddit

They get training to be care navigators- they’re not “just” a receptionist. There are many places that may be as appropriate or more appropriate to deal with your problem than the GP. It’s not like someone is just dragged off the street and put behind a desk, they’re trained and have to follow the same confidentiality laws as the GPs do. You’d be astonished what people think is appropriate to be dealt with by the GP.

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Leamh-12@reddit

But they don’t actually triage - they input the information onto the system which is then accessed but the GP who reads the info provided and then triages appropriately. This is the only reason that the information is shared with the person taking the initial call

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Sadly, they often do make decisions. Like making appointment for you with a nurse instead of a doctor, or sending you to the pharmacy, because they don't think your symptoms are "doctor worthy".

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Scottishtwat69@reddit

That is protocol-based guidance and not clinical triage.

If something falls outside the script they should escalate to a Nurse or GP for clinical triage. Also it cannot override patient judgement, they are simply providing you with guidance.

Any issues with the above should result in a complaint to the practice manager.

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Yes, this is how it should work. But this is not my experience, and - looking at other comments - others also had their fair share of running into know-it-all sort of receptionists.

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peachesnplumsmf@reddit

Neither is 111 that's why there's a system. Plus yes there'll be edge cases and stuff that presents poorly but they still need some degree of triage based on what the patients tell them/they've been told to ask.

They're not using vibes but a system designed by medical professionals doing the job daily. They're inputting the information into the system so it and the GPs can triage. They need to ask the questions for it to work.

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

They're not the average person and they're not using their own judgement. They spend all day every day doing this and they use specific criteria to prioritise certain patients.

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ambadawn@reddit

they're not using their own judgement.

Oh really? What training and qualifications do they have?

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DameKumquat@reddit

They have instructions from the doctors. If patient says this, do that.

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

That's exactly what I'm saying, none, but they're just comparing against a list they've been given, they're not making decisions based on training. Well, maybe there are some who do it differently but that's what I was told. They have specific criteria to use, not decided by them.

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RobotsVsLions@reddit

If GP surgeries require triage, they should hire triage nurses, not expand the responsibilities receptionists.

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lizziexo@reddit

But they are trained on it and guided by NHS procedures. It’s not just Sue deciding what she thinks alone, it’s all dictated by processes.

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RobotsVsLions@reddit

They're not trained on it, that's why they're not medical practitioners, we shouldn't be having peoples healthcare outcomes decided by receptionists following a flow chart with sensitive information they shouldn't be given in the first place, that's why you have the right to refuse to tell them.

It's just a cheap way to allievate the extra pressure put on GPs by the total gutting of the healthcare system.

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lizziexo@reddit

They ARE trained for triage though. And to say healthcare outcomes are decided by them isn’t accurate at all, they’re helping to direct patients. And as you say you can refuse to tell them anyway. So what does it matter?

I called recently because I thought I needed a doctor to refer me to physio, when the receptionist asked the issue she told me not only could I self refer; she could book me in for a same day physio appointment! Perfect! If she hadn’t asked and I hadn’t shared I could have been waiting two weeks for an appointment with a GP that I didn’t need.

In an ideal world, sure, I want nurses doing triage. But I’d rather spend all the extra money you’d have to pay thousands of nurses that we don’t have to cover the whole of the UK and put that towards more actual GPs. You can’t have it all. What’s your real world solution? Millions and millions of pounds spent on thousands of nurses who could be used somewhere much more useful than a phone answering service?

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RobotsVsLions@reddit

When did I say nurses should be acting as receptionists?

And yes, millions, in fact billions more, should be spent on the health service, that's the entire fucking point that this situation where receptionists are cosplaying as nurses because they're and our government refuses to ensure proper healthcare.

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lizziexo@reddit

You literally said you want triage nurses.

And yeah DUH more money should be spent on the NHS. But you think nurses on the phone is the first priority?

You and I agree; in a hypothetical world with endless NHS money and endless trained nurses then triage nurses are perfect! But we’re in the real world where it’s unfunding and understaffed, so I accept the less than ideal situation for what it is.

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External-Praline-451@reddit

GP receptionists have been around since GPs existed. Why waste nurses or doctor's time with answering phones and booking appointments? That would be an unhinged way to run a medical service. And receptionists are trained by surgeries, and like you said, you can refuse to tell them your issue if you really want.

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RobotsVsLions@reddit

Do you want to argue against the point I've made instead of inventing one mate?

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InitiativeConscious7@reddit

Triage so they know who to prioritise. Its pretty simple actually

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Inspiredlikearabbit@reddit

But medical receptionists aren’t actually medical. So there prioritisation may not be correct

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InitiativeConscious7@reddit

And they almost never do the triage themselves. They get the information and pass it to someone qualified

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TheFourTruthz@reddit

Triage nurses exist

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InitiativeConscious7@reddit

And they almost never do the triage themselves, they get the information and pass it to someone qualified...

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TheFourTruthz@reddit

That's just wrong..

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Horse_and_Fart@reddit

The receptionist at my surgery talks like she invented medicine.

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takeabreak2233@reddit

Japan has entered the chat. Doctor/nurse comes to discuss your stool sample loudly in the waiting room, and the examination areas are separated by a curtain if you're lucky. Oh yeah, and it's mandatory to have an annual health check (which is good) but the results are shared with your company (not so keen).

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Ethan_brooks8225@reddit

Honestly, it’s a mix of outdated building design and efficiency priorities. A lot of GP surgeries were built years ago when patient flow mattered more than privacy, and redesigning them now costs money most practices don’t have. That said, it does feel pretty uncomfortable when you can hear everything there should at least be better soundproofing or separate spaces for sensitive conversations.

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HiddenSynner@reddit

That fact they stick your address on every pill box on impossible to remove labels does my head in at times.

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jonathing@reddit

I recently had a patient complain that my colleague stuck her head out of the scanner and yelled her name to call her on for scan. I concede that this isn't ideal but as she was the only person in the waiting room it was probably not the huge privacy breach that she thought it was.

I later found out that she's a GP at my practice, where my name is read out over the loudspeaker while it flashes on a screen in the waiting room along with which room I'm to go to. I feel there a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black.

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oldie349@reddit

Because GP surgery managers don’t give a damn about patient confidentiality

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tasi671@reddit

It infuriates me as well. I worked in compliance in a major hospital system in the states and now work in the NHS. The lack of patient confidentiality I see on a daily basis shocks me and wouldn't be tolerated for a second where I used to work.

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neo101b@reddit

I was in A+E once, me and my ex where wafting in the main hospital with others.
When we heard a doctor talk to an old person about the colour of his poo.
Everyone was chuckling at the conversation behind the curtain.
It was a weird one.

Its not what Id want others to hear, though its only a natural process.
The conversation was just weird.

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InsolventAttendant22@reddit

Having had a few stays on the gastrointestinal ward a week at a time, I can confirm that we all knew all of the details!

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claridgeforking@reddit

No wonder you were wafting.

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neo101b@reddit

lol, I didn't notice that one.
Funny mistake.

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Dutch_Slim@reddit

At my surgery, reception and the waiting room are separate. In the front door to the reception desk, then through doors to either left or right depending on who you’re seeing.

The lobby isn’t huge though, so if there’s a queue, you can still hear the conversation at the desk.

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ParentheticalsAside@reddit (OP)

Sounds like it affords a little bit of privacy at least!

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Dutch_Slim@reddit

Yes. We did previously have the other model but it wasn’t too bad as the waiting room was HUGE so the chairs were quite a way away from the desk. Then they turned half the waiting room into a pharmacy (shows how big it was originally!) and moved the desk to the lobby.

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-DoctorSpaceman-@reddit

My one has a barrier so you can’t stand too close to the reception when you’re waiting in the queue, to mitigate hearing stuff. They also have a sign saying you can ask to discuss your thing in a private room if you want

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Leather-Shoulder-674@reddit

My GP tried to be more discreet and private, I went in and they asked what was wrong so I told the receptionist my cock hurts, and the receptionist is horrified. She stands up and whispers, "Sir, you can't say things like that in a room full of people! It’s highly inappropriate and embarrassing for everyone. If you want to be discreet, you should use a euphemism. Next time, just say something like 'my ear hurts' or 'my finger hurts , so I say my finger hurts, and she asks what's wrong with it and I said it hurts when I piss out of it

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garlicramen@reddit

This is batshit insane from a foreigner perspective. In Hungary we have a health card and we just show it at reception at every doctor’s appointment, no personal details, like name or DoB asked. (Yes, we also have completely free healthcare just like the UK.)

When I moved to the UK I immediately signed up for an NHS card because I thought it’s a similar system. I got it, it has my name, GP surgery and national insurance number. Never once in 12 years I was asked to show it anywhere. I’m not sure they even issue them anymore.

Every time I have an NHS appointment I need to share my name and date of birth in front of 50+ people waiting. It wouldn’t be acceptable for a hotel or a bowling alley in terms of basic data protection but hospitals and surgeries are allowed to operate like this when data governance regulations are much stricter in healthcare?

Not to mention more sensitive data than that. Today i had to talk about a stool test with a receptionist. I just can’t wrap my head around it. The older gentleman before me was also talking about his stool test. The gentleman after me was having suicidal ideation and was seeking talking therapy.

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Remote-Pool7787@reddit

Because you aren’t paying for it

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Scofield442@reddit

You do know what taxes are, right?

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Tacklestiffener@reddit

Maybe he's a billionaire?

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spnelson@reddit

You technically are though, just not upfront

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BlackJackKetchum@reddit

Because ‘fuck you’, that’s why.

It isn’t as though switching quacks is as easy as switching pubs, is it?

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notouttolunch@reddit

I quite enjoy talking about these sorts of things at the top of my voice. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

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potatan@reddit

welcome to your 70's

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musicfortea@reddit

Same, like the time I announced in a loud voice "I'm hear to get the grapes hanging out my arse looked at".

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ebee123@reddit

It’s bonkers the lack of privacy the NHS has, whenever I check in for an appointment I show them all my details on my phone instead but 9.10 times the receptionist inexplicably will still shout out my details

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deafened_commuter@reddit

They ought to be given GDPR, just not been ideal to enforce that rule. Maybe you could make a GDPR complaint?

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TheOrchidsAreAlright@reddit

Probably to minimise aggression against staff

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OddlyDown@reddit

One thing you realise as you get older is that no random member the public cares about you, the stranger in the GP surgery, much as they don’t care about you in the chemist. What can feel like the most embarrassing thing in the world might be, at best, something that amuses them for a minute while they wait.

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ImThatBitchNoodles@reddit

When I was on my 100th doctor appointment, trying to get my endometriosis diagnosed, the doctors kept requesting STI tests. I think I had about 7 or 8 in less than half a year. Every time they requested the samples, I would have to pick up and drop off the swabs at the reception.

No matter who was at there (receptionists, nurse, HCA, manager), they had to announce it to everyone in the waiting room that the drs requested GONORRHEA, CHLAMYDIA AND TRICHOMONIASIS SWABS and they would go through the same checklist when I dropped the swabs back.

It would have been funny if people didn't give me disgusted stares as I walked past them on the way out.

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RegretEasy8846@reddit

Couldn’t agree more… my living condition and family and town mean everyone knows everyone, it is rubbish how it is.

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whoops53@reddit

Yeah it makes me so uncomfortable. I handed over a letter once, marked with the doctors name and "Private" on it. I said "This is for Dr...." and the receptionist took it and began to open it! I said loudly "Its marked PRIVATE!" whereby she laughed awkwardly and put it to one side, saying "Oh, didn't notice that, I'll make sure they get it then"

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Calm_Set_9433@reddit

Mine is a bit like this. I did complain but nothing's changed. Medical privacy is not respected as it should be.

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Mediocre_Sprinkles@reddit

To be honest there's very little privacy in healthcare. Telling reception all your troubles, yelling your name and address at the pharmacist.

My absolute favourite is being on a ward with just thin curtains in between. Just had a baby and loved announcing everything about my downstairs to the room.

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JennyW93@reddit

My GP surgery when I was at uni was like this. It was really only uni students who went there, so I liked to make a point of breaching privacy as loudly and obnoxiously as possible by saying things like “I think I’ve got an STD because I slept with [first name, last name] and they slept with [list of people] so the lot of us are probably absolutely riddled”.

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Reasonable-Key9235@reddit

Mines not too bad, there’s a dividing panel between reception and waiting area. It’s not perfect, but it’s not too bad. If someone is trying to listen, I wink at the receptionist and start talking about my enormous piles and they’re bleeding again. Tends to make them fuck off and makes the receptionist laugh

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