Everyone knows me and the fact that I am not shy when it comes to calling people out over stigmatizing or discriminating behaviour.
I reached out to you in desperation when I needed to see a doctor but was unable to get in anywhere. You were kind enough to let me know about an availability with a GP at First Step, and I was really grateful for that. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t able to help?
So, I just wanted to take a few minutes out to let you know just how impressed/pleasantly surprised/stoked to find the service that I received at First Step to be so awesome!
From my initial phone inquiry all the way through to sitting in the waiting room, and then in to see a doctor, I was treated with respect and dignity. Personally I don’t think that is a big ask but from my experiences (and I have had a lot of them) it’s not something that is common or easily found especially within this sector.
Over the years I have made complaints and been told that …..it’s hard enuf to find good staff to sit behind a reception desk and be nice to everyone, as front line workers they have been abused, spat on and all sorts of horrible things so I should just appreciate the fact that whatever service I was talking about even had a human prepared to do the job.
I understand that front line staff are subject to all sorts of harassment and abuse, I have worked on the front line for more than 20 years so believe me when I say I get it! I still don’t think that is a good enuf reason for staff to treat innocent people badly, just because someone else has been before them and acted inappropriately; and I am also aware that people have bad days (including staff) and not everyone can be nice 100% of the time, but just wanted to acknowledge the staff at First Step.
They treated me so well, they were so nice and friendly and welcoming and it makes a world of difference to be treated that way. And it wasn’t just me, I overheard them speaking on the phone to other people as well as saw them interact with other patients as they came and went and they treated everyone with the same amount of respect and it was just so nice to see.
I am sure you are already aware but you have a wonderful bunch of people working there and I’d really like them to know that whilst people are very quick to complain, there are also some like me who actually remember to acknowledge how great they are.
It makes a world of difference to be treated well and I just wanted to let you know.
- First Step client
