Doctors’ surgery tells NHS patients to sit on hard wooden chairs, while private patients are given comfy seats facing a TV
Chris Corcocan snapped the picture of the sign at the Junction Surgery in Moldgreen that said 'coloured seats are for Skyn Doctor private patients only'
NHS patients at a doctors’ surgery are being made to sit in hard wooden chairs while private patients get plush comfy seats in front of a TV.
Chris Corcoran, 66, says he was shocked at the “blatant segregation”.
He took a photo of a sign detailing where private clients of a dermatology clinic and NHS eye-screening patients should sit.
The sign, situated in the waiting room, read: “Diabetic eye screening patients: Please take a seat on the wooden seats only. The coloured seats are for Skyn Doctor private patients only and are being used throughout the day. Thank you.”
Retired technician Mr Corcoran said: “I thought it was laughable at first but it really is not funny.
“The fact it says the word private patients only is blatant segregation. It is suggesting that we don’t want you ‘riff raff’ mingling with the private patients.
“You get out of the lift and see posh seats for private patients in front of a TV and a radiator, while the rest sit on wooden chairs and stare at a wall. It really got up my nose.”
He raised his concerns at the Junction Surgery in Moldgreen, Huddersfield, and claimed the staff seemed embarrassed.
A spokesman for The Junction Surgery spoke to The Huddersfield Examiner and said: “All patients are directed to our practice waiting areas.
“We welcome feedback from our patients so if anyone has any comments about the facilities at the practice, including the seating areas, then they are asked to please talk to a member of staff.”
