Yahoo News Receptionist praised by Scottish GP for her response to 'racist' patient
The receptionist at a doctors' surgery has been praised for her response to a patient who said they didn’t want an "Asian doctor."
Dr Punam Krishan told of her pride after the receptionist fired back saying the doctor "is Scottish" following the patient's remark.
According to the Glasgow-based GP, the receptionist asked “what do Scottish people look like?" silencing the patient, who then took the appointment card.
Dr Krishan said: "I am aware that it happens across the board but we rarely talk about it.
Patient “I don’t want an Asian doctor”
Receptionist “she is Scottish”
Patient “she doesn’t look Scottish.”
Receptionist “what do Scottish people look like?”
Silence. Appointment card taken. So proud of my team 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽#endracisim #equalitydiversityandinclusion— Dr Punam Krishan (@DrPunamKrishan)
"There is no reason or place for it.
"I have had a very positive response which is so uplifting.
"Scotland is my home. It is a beautiful, multicultural, diverse nation and ultimately we all need to work together for something like the NHS.
"Disease does not pick a gender and disease does not pick a colour. When you strip it back we are all human."
Im sure u were my doctor in wellgreen practise a few years back, with out doubt the most approachable, helpful down to earth doc iv delt with, can honestly say patients loss..
— Mal100 (@wmalton79)
Got to love my Indian GP. I went to see her about feeling a bit uncomfortable in my gut. She listened & took me seriously. A prostate cancer diagnosis followed. 5 weeks later after my op, I'm on the mend. Thanks to her. And people like you.👍
— Kevin Patrick #FBPE #PeoplesVote (@KevinPatrick7)
When asked why she didn't refuse the patient treatment, she said: "It is important to treat the person before me and see that they are safe and well.
"It is not right to turn someone away who needs help.
"My receptionist put this person in their place and they left with some food for thought."
Her tweet went viral, with many congratulating the receptionist on their response.
Sheka Forna said: “As an Aberdonian who was once told by a fellow Scot that it must have been “very sunny” on the day I was born, I salute your receptionist.”
I'm afraid this happens more often than you think. I was racially abused on a bus and the driver told him to get off the bus. It's when we all stand together that we're going to rid society of this surge. Great job from your receptionist as did my driver.
— Anjem Zaman (@zaman_anjem)
It's so sad.
When I'm ill you could literally be Dr Harold Shipman and I still wouldn't give two flying fecks - tell me what's wrong, how to sort it and I will be on my merry way.
Imagine living with that level of bitterness and anger in your life.— fullenglishpint ⭕ (@fullenglishpint)
Doc Rehman added: “A few years ago a patient asked if I was Scottish.
“I replied yes, to which she casually enquired why I was tanned!
“I politely advised her that I was from the South of Scotland and we get a lot more sunshine there.”
"It is important to treat the person before me and see that they are safe and well.
"It is not right to turn someone away who needs help.
"My receptionist put this person in their place and they left with some food for thought."
