"Care co-ordinators/experience at Reception"

I am sorry to leave a public review but I can't see an email address or another way of contacting the practice about this.

Last week I went to the Health Centre for a blood test. I had been asked (by my GP) to weigh myself and do my blood pressure with the equipment in the waiting room while I was there. I did so and then went to the Reception Desk to give in my information as requested. It is difficult for everyone to communicate at the moment due to masks and plastic screens and I found it a bit embarrassing to have to shout out what my weight was to the reception person. She made a (positive) comment about my weight which I found quite intrusive, then when I asked if I could make an appointment to see my GP entered into a lengthy discussion about whether this was necessary, what my symptoms were and whether my medication might need adjusting. I appreciate that reception staff are now trained as Care Co-ordinators but I felt she was overstepping the triage role quite considerably and giving me unwanted advice about a complex condition that I have lived with for years. I am sure she was trying to help but it seemed very inappropriate, especially within earshot of all the other people in the waiting room. I am not sure how qualified she might be to give out specialised (and potentially dangerous) advice either.

Along with most of the other people who have left reviews here, I currently find it almost impossible to get appointments with a GP at the practice these days - and I know this is due to government cuts -but I think this type of gatekeeping behaviour is unacceptable.