"Unfriendly experience bit upsetting"

I visited the pathology department with my elderly Mum for blood tests. I have to be with her to help her with walking as she is disabled and could easily fall. She sufferers from chronic pain as well I had been worried and rushing around bacause she had been really poorly. I drove to pick her up and take her, we chose the QE11 because the parking is easier with someone who is disabled although the Lister is much closer to her. She was also having an xray to check her lungs because of shortage of breath and to check if there was a return of cancer. I find Hospitals a very stressful place to visit as I have lost my Dad when I was young and My Step Dad not long ago to cancer and it brings back bad memories. But I make the effort to go with my Mum to giver her support.

The receptionist on duty before 1.30 p.m. Was very abrupt and serious. I gave them my Mum's paperwork. The receptionist complained that this was for an xray. The other sheet of paper was underneath, but they didn't take a second to look. but I couldn't read it because I need reading glasses. Unfortunately for me I made a suggestion that they could smile which was a huge mistake. The receptionist accused me of being rude to them. The receptionist spoke in a really loud voice and said they would have me removed because they had a policy of zero tolerance there.

I said that they were being rude to me. I then just went on to try to explain that I didn't have my reading glasses on and handed the paperwork to Mum. Whilst I was explaining they shouted through me and said again about zero tolerance and removing me. I then said that I wasn't swearing. Everybody in the room was then looking at me. The receptionist made it look like I had tried to attack them. I felt like bursting into tears I honestly don't know why the staff behave in this way to patients, perhaps they had been previously threatened or was under extreme stress them-self. I perhaps should not have said anything in retrospect. But was a bit concerned that they might have me removed. I am over 50 and suffer from a spinal condition myself, so hardly a threat, and needed to help my Elderly Mum. Although if they had been friendly and had smiled and been more understanding about paperwork this would not have happened. What has happened to putting people at ease. We went on to the xray deparment were the staff were lovely and Mum was seen quickly. Then came back later to pathology because of the hour wait. There was a different person on duty who was fine. Generally everything else went smoothly the volunteers at the door are really helpful. It will take me a while to forget this experience. Next time I will not speak! This probably sounds petty but it really upset me although I tried to laugh if off after for the sake of my Mum.