Why does the receptionist need to ask what is wrong with me?

General practices (what most of us refer to as 'the doctors') have teams of skilled, qualified healthcare professionals who have the experience and competency to treat many of the patients who traditionally believe they need to see the GP (general practitioner).

There are different roles and services available.

• Medication reviews and queries are managed by a team of clinical pharmacists.
• Sprains, sports injuries and muscle pains are treated by a first contact practitioner.
• Pregnancy tests or the morning-after-pill can be accessed via a pharmacist.
• When it comes to managing long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma, a nurse practitioner is the most appropriate professionals to assist you with your needs.
• NHS Pharmacy First advanced service can treat patients for the following seven common conditions: acute otitis media (ear infection), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
• If you need help connecting yourself to activities, groups, and services in your community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect your health and wellbeing, you can speak with a social prescriber.
• Mental health practitioner concentrates on addressing your specific mental health requirements and provides a secure environment to discuss your emotions and explore ways to support them.

GP receptionists

Reception staff are members of the surgery team and they will ask you ‘why do you need to be seen?’.  are trained to ask certain questions to ensure that you receive:

• the most appropriate medical care
• from the most appropriate health professional
• at the most appropriate time

Reception staff are asked to collect brief information from patients:

• to help doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
• to ensure that all patients receive the appropriate level of care
• to direct patients to see the nurse or other health professional rather than a doctor where appropriate

Reception staff, like all members of the team, are bound by confidentiality rules:

• any information given by you is treated as strictly confidential
• the surgery would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with accordingly
• you can ask to speak to a receptionist in private away from reception
• however, if you feel an issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is then this will be respected