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AIBU?

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Original poster

Accessing Healthcare on a Zero Hours Contract

141 replies

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 20:43

I'm a full-time care worker, doing domiciliary care on a Zero hours contract.

For what it's worth, I've been doing this for nearly 30 years, and I adore my job.

However, I need to try and get a GP appointment for myself - and I don't know how I can do it?

My surgery asks that we ring up at 8am for an appointment. I can't do that? I'm with my elderly client at that time.

I've tried popping in at around 2pm on my break, but I'm not allowed to make an appointment at that time.
I'm told I need to phone at 8am.

The only way I can phone at 8am, is to make myself unavailable for work?
So, I would lose my entire day from 7am until 10pm.
Even then, I couldn't guarantee an appointment.

Is there a solution to this that I'm not seeing?
I can't risk losing an entire 15hr shift, on the off chance that I might get a 10 minute appointment (or not).

Am I being unreasonable to think this doesn't work for ordinary folk?

OP posts:
TinyTempest · 25/05/2025 22:36

Oh dear, was your thread in Site Stuff really necessary OP?

You absolutely were not 'torn to shreds' on this thread.

If anything you've had lots of good advice.

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 22:32

slashlover · 25/05/2025 22:13

You've been given several solutions but you have a reason excuse why all of them are useless.

Phone and tell them your issue and ask if they can suggest a solution.
Phone on your day off.

Not being able to phone at 8am isn't unique to you.

Show quote history

No worries.

I'll do that.

OP posts:
slashlover · 25/05/2025 22:13

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:51

Ok, no worries.

I forgot that posting on AIBU was problematic.
I was just looking for a bit of support.

I'll work it out myself.

You've been given several solutions but you have a reason excuse why all of them are useless.

Phone and tell them your issue and ask if they can suggest a solution.
Phone on your day off.

Not being able to phone at 8am isn't unique to you.

mindutopia · 25/05/2025 22:13

You either need to ring on your day off, so that you know you’re already available for the same day appointment.

Or you need to switch GPs to a surgery that uses a different system. Ours uses an online eConsult. You can submit anytime between 7-10am. It’s just a quick form. They will either triage you for an urgent appointment (same day or you could say, I’m available anytime Tuesday) and they text back the appointment confirmation. Or they ask you to ring to make a routine appointment, which you can do any time between 8-6 and that appointment will be a week or two away, so then you book time off.

Or a private GP or 111 out of hours if necessary.

Ultimately though, it sounds like this will be an ongoing issue and you need to choose a better GP.

Flashahah · 25/05/2025 22:13

Ok, use head phones with your phone? You can be on the phone holding, whilst being with your first client?

Do this on the day you have your half day and tell them you can’t get in until x time?

TinyTempest · 25/05/2025 21:58

IwantmyReptv · 25/05/2025 21:53

Because a care worker can afford £70 🙄.

Show quote history

It's a bit rude to assume just because someone is a care worker, they can't afford something.

We have no idea how much strangers have in their bank accounts.

But she just needs to ring on her day off anyway.

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:55

CrackingOn50 · 25/05/2025 21:48

Not being arsey but have you opted out of the working time directive if you're doing 15 hours shifts five days a week?

And surely your 15 hours x min wage would be nearer £185 a day?

Does your surgery have an e consult form on its site? I understand your frustration though

Show quote history

Thanks for your response.

No, we don't even get NMW as domiciliary carers.

We're not paid for the time between clients. My real time rate of pay comes in at around £3.80p/h.

I adore my work, but the pay is shocking xx

OP posts:
IwantmyReptv · 25/05/2025 21:53

Nevertrustacop · 25/05/2025 21:05

You should be able to get a private GP appointment for about £70. Not ideal but better than losing a days salary. And if you are happy with an online consultation, its about £40

Because a care worker can afford £70 🙄.

JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 21:51

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

Show quote history

Free at the point of use eh!

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:51

Ok, no worries.

I forgot that posting on AIBU was problematic.
I was just looking for a bit of support.

I'll work it out myself.

OP posts:
CrackingOn50 · 25/05/2025 21:48

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

Show quote history

Not being arsey but have you opted out of the working time directive if you're doing 15 hours shifts five days a week?

And surely your 15 hours x min wage would be nearer £185 a day?

Does your surgery have an e consult form on its site? I understand your frustration though

TinyTempest · 25/05/2025 21:46

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:44

Because it involves being in a queue at the Surgery?

When I ring at 8am, I'm told I'm "17th in the queue".

Show quote history

Yes and if you hang about, the queue moves very quickly as a rule.

Plus you won't always be 17th in the queue?

Or as almost everyone has suggested, ring on your day off.

PonyPatter44 · 25/05/2025 21:44

I agree with you, though, @JockTamsonsBairns , it's so stupid that you have to phone at 8am and they have to call you back to make the appointment. I am not allowed to have my phone with me at work. I am in the establishment from 7.45 onwards. I work in an open plan office and don't necessarily want to discuss medical issues with the receptionist, plus I don't sit at my desk all day anyway.

Why on earth can't I just book an appointment online, like I can for virtually everything else?

Barnbrack · 25/05/2025 21:44

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

Show quote history

How do you think that differs for other working people? Either you call on your day off if non urgent or if urgent you should probably be off work anyway. If someone works 9-5 but commutes from 8 they also can't call at 8. And if mon-fri they don't have a weekday off to call on which is something you DO have. Many people are in the same position

Is the GP system stupid? Yes! But it's not your shifts and specifica of your job causing the issue

GreenTraybake · 25/05/2025 21:44

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

Show quote history

Why not just ring on your day off? Struggling to understand the issue. At first I thought you did not have day off but you have confirmed that you do actually have a weekday off?

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:44

TinyTempest · 25/05/2025 21:40

Of course it is!

My elderly dad has 4 care visits per day.

During that time, the carers often have to phone their manager or the district nurse or even the pharmacist.

If they had to excuse themselves to make a phone call to their own surgery, no-one would even know, let alone care.

I get the problem as I work with the public and always have to step out/get cover to phone my GP.

But you don't even need that. Surely you've had to ring other people like your manager or someone else during your visit?

So what's the difference if it's your own GP?

Show quote history

Because it involves being in a queue at the Surgery?

When I ring at 8am, I'm told I'm "17th in the queue".

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 25/05/2025 21:43

Have you actually tried phoning at 8 on the days you’re not at work?? You might not get an appointment but you might.

ilovesooty · 25/05/2025 21:43

So does your surgery have e consult?

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:41

PlumFairies · 25/05/2025 21:29

If I were you I would ring up at 8am as requested and explain to your client what you are doing and why. Most reasonable people would understand. Then when you have an appointment booked you can let your agency know when it is so they can arrange cover for you.

Show quote history

Thank you.

My 8am client is PEG fed, and I need to administer his medication at this time.

I don't have the luxury of being on the phone to the surgery unfortunately.

OP posts:
TinyTempest · 25/05/2025 21:40

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:26

Unfortunately that's not possible in domiciliary care.

Show quote history

Of course it is!

My elderly dad has 4 care visits per day.

During that time, the carers often have to phone their manager or the district nurse or even the pharmacist.

If they had to excuse themselves to make a phone call to their own surgery, no-one would even know, let alone care.

I get the problem as I work with the public and always have to step out/get cover to phone my GP.

But you don't even need that. Surely you've had to ring other people like your manager or someone else during your visit?

So what's the difference if it's your own GP?

Barnbrack · 25/05/2025 21:37

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:04

Thank you. I do 7am-10pm five days a week, which includes weekends.
I have one day off a week, and another when I work just an early shift.

If I could get through on the phone, I could arrange an appointment, and get someone to cover me.
It's my inability to make the phone call that's the difficulty.

Show quote history

Surely you call on your day off?

DuckBee · 25/05/2025 21:36

Does your surgery do econsult?

PlumFairies · 25/05/2025 21:36

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

Show quote history

Ring on your day off, I don’t understand why your making this a massive problem when there is a simple solution.

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:33

Mrsttcno1 · 25/05/2025 21:15

The short answer OP is you either ring on your day off that week, or you take a day off to call/have your appointment.

I agree, and thank you.

If I take a day off to make an appointment, I will forfeit £130.
And, I can't even guarantee that I'll get an appointment?

I can try to phone at 8am on my day off, but I still won't be guaranteed an appointment.

OP posts:
Snippit · 25/05/2025 21:32

I book my appointments online. At midnight some appointments are released for various dates. I like you can’t call them at 8am due to health and mobility issues, I simply don’t function until a few hours after taking my medication. I also request repeat prescriptions like this, it’s great.

It’s also fortuitous that I can see my records as I found out I have Chronic Kidney Disease and no one thought to inform me. Firstly I was shocked, tearful, then downright bloody angry. I arranged to see one of the G.Ps who apologised profusely and agreed I should have been informed and apologised. If I didn’t have access to my records I may never have known. I was a little puzzled as to why they kept asking me to attend for blood and urine tests, now I know,