To be 1 minute late?

I'd 100% get there at 3.01. I'd prob get the one that got there at 2.45 tbh because things always go wrong esp on public transport

Get the earlier bus. I had similar (not dodgy area though) and was five minutes late and the area nurse had left. It was about her six months wait as I went to bottom of the pile. Won't they let you in to wait inside?

I know right. And it's looking like the OP is not going to come back to tell us anything, or explain anything to us.

I also wanted to say, I went with my friend for her to get her covid booster on Tuesday ... The appointment was 2:15pm and we got there at 1.55pm. Wanted to get there in plenty of time. As an NHS worker said above - do try to get there a bit earlier if you can.

There was nobody waiting, as a couple of people hadn't turned up (not sure if they were late, or not coming!) So we went straight in and out before 2:00pm. It's always a good idea to go early - at least 10 or 15 minutes early. Not too early - like an hour - but 15 minutes early yeah ...

This frustrates me. You are exactly the reason why appointments overrun and its a selfish attitude. You should be aiming to arrive with time to spare to sign in etc , not purposely planning to arrive late because you don't want to wait and then delay appointments for the rest of the day!

I would even be getting an earlier bus than the earlier one you suggested . There will likely be school traffic at that time and buses are not known for being punctual

I’m very intrigued by this health facility which is in a shit area, but presumably right next to a bus stop, has a cage on the door, and no waiting room.

Early bus. Buzz in and say you want to wait inside. Don’t miss the appointment

You have to walk in stand at the desk, give your name etc. what if someone is in front of you are the desk taking ages? What if the bus is late?

I work in the NHS and on my lists if you are more than 15 min late you are turned away.

Don’t risk the appointment. Get there early and just read a book in the waiting room! It’s not exactly that early is it

I think the 3:01 bus isn’t early enough and it’s utter madness to contemplate the later one. I would be getting the 2:41 arrival bus.

Go early, press the buzzer don't wait outside, take a book

Definitely get the early bus. Some buses are once every two hours where I live so I wouldn't think twice about arriving 20 mins early.

Is the bus right to the door?

I'd get the earlier bus as, in my experience, buses are often late.
And I'd be really stressed being late for an appointment I'd waited 6 months for and the risk of being turned away.

There's no way I'd get the later bus. Personally I'd be far too stressed the first bus might run late that I'd get one earlier than that, despite the area. Is there a local mini supermarket you can wonder round in for a bit? Get off a couple of steps early or late and walk. I'd see if they let me up to the waiting room a bit early and if not walk along the busier roads.

yes, this.

Early. Headphones, book, snack...

Get the earlier bus and get off a stop or two early and walk the rest. I always find walking in a dodgy area less stressful than just waiting around. Unless you have mobility trouble of course.

Questions like this frustrate me. Can you really not decide for yourself that being early to an appointment you’ve waited 6 months for is the option to choose over being late? So many people are on waiting lists for so much longer and wouldn’t even contemplate being late and you just don’t want to wait outside?!

Obviously you can't get the bus timetabled to get there at 3.21 and I'd say the 3.01 is cutting it a bit fine. Are you teleporting from your bus seat into the consulting room?

NHS worker here, please get the earlier bus if you can OP! We have so many people late to appointments for all sorts of reasons. We don't get long to see people and then write up notes from the appointment, so if someone is even 5 minutes late it often means making a judgement of spending less time with that patient (so the patient ultimately loses out), spending the rest of the day running late, or sacrificing our own lunch/comfort break to try and make up time. As a result of this if people are more than 15 minutes late in our service then we won't see them and they'd have to rearrange. For you this would mean if the later bus was run late you'd risk having to wait another six months for another appointment, arguably not worth it.

If you are able to catch either bus then please do that, it's the best outcome for you and the professional. Plus as others say, you may not end up being 20 minutes early after all if relying on the bus!

I agree the 3.01 bus is nowhere near early enough to be sure of being there for your appointment. I would get the one before.

The 3.01 would make me twitchy and there is no way I would plan for the 3.21 bus. By the time you have got off the bus, walked to the entrance and booked it that is some extra time too. I would want to be checked in by 3.10 at the latest so would want to arrive before 3pm!

Earlier bus. Why not go straight in to wait?

I'd rather be really early than all flustered and even slightly late. The bus might be delayed also.

Of course you should get the earlier bus. It's getting you there 20 minutes early, not half a bloody day! YABU!