Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
PlumFairies · 25/05/2025 21:29

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 20:56

This is my issue though?

I can't tell the Surgery my schedule, because I need to get an appointment before I can give my availability to my work?

My work schedule is 7am-10pm.

If I could get an appointment a few days in advance, I could probably arrange cover for my appointment time?
But, I can't arrange cover with the way it's set up.
Nobody can cover me at 1-2hrs notice xx

Show quote history

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.

Gattopardo · 25/05/2025 21:28

Bluetooth enabled headset paired with your phone.

Cheaper than a day’s lost pay, you can call whilst attending to your client - not ideal but also not intrusive and will be over very quickly. You can do what you need to do with your client whilst you are on hold.

All surgeries have some pre bookable appointments surely?

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:26

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 25/05/2025 21:19

Tell your employer you need 10 minutes off between 7.55 and 8.05 and make the call.

Unfortunately that's not possible in domiciliary care.

OP posts:
House0fBamboo · 25/05/2025 21:24

You need to call on your weekday off. Ours is the same- call at 8.30 for a same day appt. There are none to be booked in advance, none released at lunch, no e consult and you can't get one by turning up in person.

You also can't request a nurse appt- the receptionist decides who you see (if there's any left by the time you get through).

If you need bloods they're currently working 5 weeks away...

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:22

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:18

I'm not saying you haven't been back to the thread and aren't replying. I'm just saying there's been a few very workable options suggested but you're only responding to the ones you can't do.

People are actually trying to help.

Show quote history

I've not had a chance to respond.

I'm not being selective.

OP posts:
Mushypeasandchipstogo · 25/05/2025 21:21

I really feel your pain, my old GP surgery was exactly like this . I couldn’t phone at 8am either and had to rely on my DH to phone for me. The receptionist always seemed to be more accommodating with men than women.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 25/05/2025 21:19

Tell your employer you need 10 minutes off between 7.55 and 8.05 and make the call.

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:18

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:13

Ok, I've been around here for 17 years.

It's been less than half an hour since I posted.
I was just trying to garner some support, that's all.
Ignore me.

I've tried to reply to people as quickly as I can.

I'm not sure why you think I'm avoiding all sensible suggestions.
I'm old, so I'm slow to type.

I'll leave my own thread now.

This isn't what Mumsnet used to be.

Show quote history

I'm not saying you haven't been back to the thread and aren't replying. I'm just saying there's been a few very workable options suggested but you're only responding to the ones you can't do.

People are actually trying to help.

Kalara · 25/05/2025 21:16

I moved doctor's surgeries. It's ridiculous that some of them make this so hard. There are so many jobs in which this is difficult.

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.

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:13

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:04

I wonder why OP is avoiding all the sensible suggestions?

Ok, I've been around here for 17 years.

It's been less than half an hour since I posted.
I was just trying to garner some support, that's all.
Ignore me.

I've tried to reply to people as quickly as I can.

I'm not sure why you think I'm avoiding all sensible suggestions.
I'm old, so I'm slow to type.

I'll leave my own thread now.

This isn't what Mumsnet used to be.

OP posts:
TeenLifeMum · 25/05/2025 21:12

If you work 5 days a week including weekends then you have 2 days a week you could call? Not ideal but I’d be trying that.

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:12

JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:06

Really?

Show quote history

Yes really.

feelingbleh · 25/05/2025 21:10

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

If you have one day of in the week can you not do it then. That's when I always do mine

Pomegranatecarnage · 25/05/2025 21:10

I understand your frustration as I have the same problem-I’m a teacher. I can call at 8, but can’t accept a call back from the doctor as it’s a phone free school and the doctor won’t call before 8.30. I work 18 miles from where I live and can’t leave school in the middle of the day. I need to be able to make an appointment after 3.30 but it seems this is too much to ask. At least I can go in the holidays. It’s not set up for working people, and it’s not right.

Nevertrustacop · 25/05/2025 21:08

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:04

I wonder why OP is avoiding all the sensible suggestions?

Tbh I couldn't make an appointment if I was working. If we need one in this house, we all three of us get on our phones at 7.55 and redial until one of us is finally answered at about 8.45. Hence why we now either pretend not to be ill or go private.

SummerIce · 25/05/2025 21:08

Honestly, I don’t know. My mum’s surgery is like this. They only allow appointments if you call at 8am so I have no idea how people who work manage it.

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:06

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:04

I wonder why OP is avoiding all the sensible suggestions?

Really?

OP posts:
Womblingmerrily · 25/05/2025 21:05

It depends what the issue is.

Are there urgent treatment centres or minor injury units near you - they may be accessible 'out of hours' and tend to be sit and wait situations.

One is illness, the other is injury.

There are also pharmacies that can assess and treat various things. Their opening hours can be longer.

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

ScrewedByFunding · 25/05/2025 21:04

I wonder why OP is avoiding all the sensible suggestions?

Original poster
JockTamsonsBairns · 25/05/2025 21:04

Womblingmerrily · 25/05/2025 20:54

How many days are you working 7am - 10pm?

If you're not accessible for an appointment during these hours I'm not sure what you're expecting?

You need to call on a day off or holiday. Some surgeries are open Saturday mornings.

Do all the GPs in your area operate in this way or can you change to a different one?

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.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 25/05/2025 21:02

Octavia64 · 25/05/2025 20:57

The best solution to this actually depends on what you need to see a GP for.

GPs also vary in what they offer.

some surgeries offer an e consult where you fill in a form on their website. They then either email/text/phone you back.

you can get someone else to phone for you (but obviously they might get asked questions about what the appointment is for and do you actually need to see a nurse (blood tests and the like).)

I was going to suggest an e consult form too