People complaining about NHS appointments on a Sunday

I didn’t say you were being rude. But a weeks notice just before Christmas and if you are phoning early in the day and the appointment being on a Sunday sets you off on the wrong foot with some people.

We had a Saturday Ophthalmology appointment.

We were the only ones to turn up!

All the staff being paid ££££££ and nobody turned up.

People should be fined for not turning up. Benefits sanctioned too.

I think weekend appointments are a great idea, but NHS staff also need to consider the needs of people who don't have good access to public transport, or don't have family/friends with a car to drive them to/from the appointment.

So, yes, I think people who have cars and who simply can't be bothered to interrupt their usual weekend routines for an appointment are being totally unreasonable.

But, for folks who rely on public transport and/or don't have friends/family with cars, or who live in rural areas, yes, it's unreasonable to expect people to attend.

Another issue is where the appointment is. For example, I have to have regular CT scans (2-3 times/year). There are two CT scanners in nearby hospitals - but, no, I routinely get sent to the scanner 10 miles away! You could not make it up.

It's a two and half-hour trip on the bus each way, or £50-£60 for a taxi round trip. So, what do I do? I put my foot down and politely make a fuss....

you bet they are the same people? but you don't know this.

You are being V u. I couldn't attend a weekend appointment because i don't have a car and where i live there is no public transport at the weekend. I can't afford a taxi. So - a bit of thought about what you are assuming won't hurt you

Crikey i would snatch your hand off!!

I wouldn't be able to get to a Sunday appointment as no public transport where I live. No Uber or taxi will come out that far

I'm eligible for hospital transport but that doesn't run at weekends.

The hospital will end up paying more in taxi fare than the cost of the appointment.

I had a pre procedure appointment on a Sunday recently. I was delighted.

I have home visits from my GP surgery because of mobility problems. I was very surprised yesterday when a lady from a local pharmacy rang and offered to come and do a flu and covid injection tomorrow. When I queried the day it turned out she does part time and the only day she is in my area is sunday. I dont like sunday visiters and normally dont answer the door or even the phone. However its a small inconvenience and better than getting flu or covid.

Lots of the things people might rely on in order to be able to get to an appointment such as public transport, childcare, school or day centres for adults they care for don't run the same/at all on Sundays. It's not something that everyone can access.

Still shouldn't be rude to admin staff though.

There is but if you could get there by private or public transport why wouldn't you take the appointment? I'd rather sit in waiting area for an hour due to the bus times than keep waiting for an appointment at a time to suit.

That's hilariously bad! 😂

Less public transport on a Sunday.

Even if people don't want a Sunday appointment, that's no reason to be rude to you "shooting the messenger" OP.

I've been offered a "clinical assessment" appointment for knee trouble, on 24th Dec. I was surprised the clinic ran that close to Christmas. I'll be there, no complaints.

Given the amount of money that goes into the NHS it should be a 24/7 service and staffed accordingly. More jobs for Doctors, nurses, ancillary staff, lower waiting times etc

Easter Sunday having an mri was a new start to the day and definitely a bit strange - but as I’d been waiting forever for it - I grabbed the appointment when it came up as it meant my surgeon could use the images to plan and carry out my much needed operation…

think 24/7 is the way to go at hospitals

At this point I'd suspect they don't want the appt . I've had 2 nhs scans on a Sunday and a bladder test on a Saturday this year a CT and a heart Echo - ended up getting admitted on the Monday after this due to the results but I've always accepted the Sunday appts as it means I get seen quicker. I've also had appts at half 8 in the morning on a weekday which are horrid to get to as I don't live near my specialist hospital but surely people tak the appts because it means they get seen?!

I'd love a weekend or evening clinic!

I have an appointment booked for tomorrrow for a brain mri. I was very grateful it is on a Sunday because I have a lot of appointments at the moment and cant afford to take time off work plus no worrying about being back for the school run because DP is off work

I always know which patients are genuinely in need of a steroid injection to ease their joint pain because they'll move heaven and earth to get to the appointment and certainly don't complain 🥺

Is she not allowed a
Break ?? More likely an unpaid break too, u probably not worked a day in ur life if u need to ask that? Get a job, Assuming has made an ass out of u.

If you've been waiting you would jump at the chance imo. You clearly aren't that ill if a Sunday is inconvenient assuming no previous engagements. I recently had a pre-op assessment on a Saturday. I was v.happy to take the date. There at 8am and out by 8.45.

I'd clap back... oh well what a shame that's you now at the bottom of the waiting list .. see you in 2029
I can not tolerate rudeness

What, like saying "are there any other days I could come?" Because thats standard practice with hospital bookings.

If the appointment is so super important that there's no flexibility at all then the patient probably wouldn't have been on a waiting list in the first place. You dont, on the one hand, get to tell people they have to wait for months,/years, then insist that only 1 particular date is an option.