Is it illegal for receptionists to ask about your health?

You go to see your Doctor not to openly state your health issues at a Reception Desk.

You simply say - "sorry its personal". You are not obliged to tell a Receptionist or anyone else except your Doctor.

Patients have to use their common sense,it may not be illegal to ask you about your health but unless they can prove to me that they are medically qualified (and they are not) then you do not have to tell them anything,i always say,it is a personal matter that i only want to discuss in confidence with my doctor, they cannot go on at you after that,i once heard a woman give the receptionist all her medical details,the reception desk is in the middle of the waiting area! I later saw the woman concerned and she thought that she had to tell the receptionist everything,you don't. The receptionists know me now,they don't ask anymore!

It's not illegal for anyone to ask about your health, but you don't have to answer.

Do you mean doctor's receptionist?

Sometimes these ask what your "problem" is so that they can pre-alert the doctor or, in a group practice, direct you to one who specialises in your type of problem. You don't have to tell them anything.

Receptionists at some special places such as spas, gymnasia or swimming pools will ask because there may be medical reasons why you shouldn't undertake these activities - for your protection and that of other clients.

These are very legitimate questions in the circumstances and you have the right to decline to answer. BUT if you don't answer reasonable health questions then they are not obliged to let you in, and you could not successfully sue them for this refusal. Their duty for the safety of users of the facilities trumps your right to privacy.

Any other receptionist may just be showing polite concern and interest.

It's not illegal for anyone to ask you anything.

Simple as that!

Of course, you're also perfectly within your rights to not answer.

Whether it's good practice for a receptionist to 'filter' patients in this way is another matter - and generally the answer would be, as you suspect, that it is not.

If an untrained receptionist (who you know not to be a nurse etc) is refusing you/others appointments based on their 'diagnosis', personally, I would report that to the practice manager/GP and/or change doctors.

Of course it is legal.

The Dr. HIRED THE RECEPTIONIST to do exactly this. It is a part of the job. To a limited extent, they are acting on the part of the Dr...with a completely legitimate reason.

It isn't making a "decision" if the Dr. has instructed them to put the person who is bleeding/ not breathing ahead of the one who says "my toe is hurting".

What is it that you think the receptionist is hired TO DO??

What exactly do you mean "asking about your health"? Do you mean asking why you are there to see the doctor? Of course it is legal for them to do so. They need to know why you are there so they can be better prepared for when it is your turn to see the doctor.

Example: You have chest pains and go in to see the doctor. If they were not allowed to ask you about why you are there, you would be sitting in the waiting room, possibly having a heart attack, waiting for your name to be called. But since they are allowed to ask, they can immediately get you in to be checked out by the doctor.

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Uh, what, exactly, do you mean?

Are they asking "How are you?" -- the way almost everyone asks that question, as a form of greeting? Of course not. They are simply giving a standard opening in a greeting exchange.

Or are they asking you for the reason for your visit? -- which is a perfectly reasonable thing for them to ask, so they can let the doc know why you're there.

The Details field is there for a REASON -- like, giving relevant details, so we know the situation you're asking about.