Receptionists

I often wonder what motivates people to become receptionists.  It is a vital job, they are the first person anyone sees and yet sometimes they are like the three headed Cerberus!

Before I go on, I have to say that I have come across some really good receptionists, but also some really dreadful ones.  It’s not too bad if you are in a hotel or at the HQ of an organisation.  It might be a bit troublesome, irritating, annoying, even laughable.  I was once treated so badly by a receptionist when going for a meeting that I gave up and dialled into the meeting from reception!  It caused hilarity in the meeting and made sure that I got in even though she was not interested in letting me go past!

However, when you are ill, vulnerable, unsure, in pain, scared – need I go on – basically, all the things you might be feeling when you access the NHS, the sort of treatment that might be an irritant in a hotel becomes nothing short of shameful!

I’ve been going to the chemotherapy unit and oncology outpatients for a year now, this week was the first time I was greeted by a smiling receptionist.

So here is my list of essentials if you are a receptionist in a care setting:

1. Smile

2. Remember that I don’t want to be here,  I don’t know what the process is, I don’t know my way around, I’m not feeling good

3. Look at me not the screen

4. Help me

Is this too much to ask?