To register my family at a new GP practice I was asked to provide documentation. I turned up at the surgery, paperwork in hand, as a man was leaving. He kindly held the door open for me and I headed for the reception desk which was womanned by a receptionist who clearly loved shopping at Bonne Marche.
Before I could speak she barked, ”How did you get in here?” Thinking maybe this was a compulsory pre-registration intelligence test that I had to pass to get a GP, I answered quick as a flash “Through the front door”.
She shot back “It’s locked. We’re closed until 2 o’clock.” Together we looked at the vast clock that hung between us on the wall. It was 2 minutes to 2 o’clock.
I apologised that I had busted in on her lunch, aided and abetted by another member of staff who had let me in, and explained that I just wanted to hand in an envelope. She looked at the clock and back and me and said again “We’re closed until 2 o’clock”. I asked her nicely if I placed it on the counter in front of her would she please deal with it at 2 o’clock ? She replied “I am only authorised to deal with patients face to face enquiries at 2 o’clock.”
By the time this exchange was complete it was 2 o’clock. The clock chiming interrupted our staring out session and she switched on a smile, pinned on a badge that read ‘Ruby is happy to help !’ and said “Hello ! What can I do for you ? ” Dazed and confused I gave her my envelope which she was delighted to accept and then she bid me a cheery goodbye.
