"Recent hospital visit - Feb 13th"

Anything else?

I have to say that I am very dismayed and dissapointed at the rude behaviour of the reception staff I saw at the front desk. Their attitude was very abrupt and they did not smile at all and when I handed them my slip to make a follow up appointment they waived it in the air and shouted out we will send you an appointment by post.

Receptionists are the first point of contact and visitors and patients who judge the hospital, in this case, by the way they are received by the receptionist. I was not at all impressed.

The Doctor I saw was not very much better. They rushed me along in what I was trying to convey. I made it plain to him that my tibia bone is very painful just under the right knee. They had a look at it but did not request that I get it x-rayed along with my hands and wrists. They even started their patient dictaphone notes on my visit before I was out ot their consulting room.

I rang up to speak to my consultants secretary today 21st Feb. Once again I encountered a very abrupt and disgruntled receptionist over the phone who did not know the doctor I was refering to however they did put me through. Their telephone manner left a lot to be desired.

Once I did get to speak to my consultants secretary, who was very friendly and professional I was dissapointed to hear that my x-rays were not yet ready and they had no record of my blood test results. Which I know is not the secretary's fault.

In general, Orpington Hospital do things very much at their own whim and convenience, especially the blood test department. Patients are just an inconvenience.

On a positive note. My consultants' nurse was very pleasant and helpful as was the receptionist on the x-ray department .