"Outpatients Appointment"

I have just visited the Fracture Clinic at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. On the whole this was a good experience. The department is very modern and clean and the toilet facilities are exceptional. The nursing staff were friendly and the consultant excellent. I feel, though, I could have been dealt with at reception in a more friendly manner.

The receptionist was very efficient but robotic. She didn't smile once, in fact hardly looked at me. I have done this job myself at another hospital and remember receiving training on how to be friendly and empathetic with the patient. I would like to think this would come naturally to me anyway as I enjoyed working with people but I got the feeling today that this women had contempt for me rather than empathy. This is not the first time I have been disappointed by the way I have been dealt with by receptionists at DRI and I wonder if their training is given a low priority.

I know it's the standard of medical care that really matters and on the whole DRI is, in my opinion, a good hospital but with a little improvement at front desk it could be an excellent hospital.