People complaining about NHS appointments on a Sunday

I had a Saturday appointment a few weeks ago and my mother has one tomorrow. We're glad to be seen and parking is so much easier.

Which religion says you cant seek medical advice on your holy day? Certainly not Christianity.

What idiots some people are. It's like 'now that you mention it...I don't think offering medical appointments for no cost at delivery to people who desperately need them is appropriate actually. I'm going to change careers and become an arms dealer.'

More important than their health? I am sure they can give up one Sunday to attend an important appointment.

OP I work for the NHS and have done for many years sadly for some it is a thing they take for granted probably because it is free. Over the years I have seen some disgraceful behaviour so nothing surprises me anymore sadly.

I had a procedure at my local massive university hospital on a Sunday. Thought it was great, but the whole clinic was staffed by some sort of agency based miles away who had all been shipped in to run the clinic, no doubt getting overtime rates. It still took ages to get the results.

Weekend appointments are great! I’m currently in a virtually empty eye hospital, having parked in a virtually empty car park, waiting for my aunt. Downside is there are no staff anywhere to ask things of, eg where to go (hospital is vast), and there’s no cafe at the weekend, but otherwise great. I agree Sundays might be trickier depending on public transport, but otherwise defo the way to go surely, to get waiting lists down?

Are you in a very religious area OP? I'm surprised at the is it appropriate comments. I'd personally be happy I've reached the top of the waiting list. Only reasons I can think of for Sunday being tricky relative to any other day is if you're reliant on a bus that doesn't run that day (you say not an issue for your hospital), or you don't have anyone for weekend childcare. But that's not an is that appropriate comment! Only other thing I can possibly think of is that people are worried about staff not getting a break.

I have taken people for weekend appointments, easy travel parking and little waiting , how the NHS should work.

How come (historically) the people in the clinics dont work weekends like regular wards?

Yeah, if you live outside London so buses are reduced service on a Sunday, and you don't drive, and you can't afford a taxi, you can just walk. I mean it's probably only a few miles.

I am lucky enough to have a car and work full time, so I would be very happy with a Sunday appointment. But I can see why some people might be upset at being told they're going to have to wait longer because they cannot get there on a Sunday.

I’d love it, and you can get parked!

I'm sorry about that. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't where some people are concerned, they're never happy.

I suppose there is an argument for giving to Mon-Fri, 9-to-5 workers first dibs on week end appts but it's getting that information to begin with.

I got a call yesterday asking if I wanted to move an ultrasound appointment from Thursday am to Sunday am.

It means i need less time off work - so I was delighted.

But its at a different hospital further away- so someone without access to a car may have had issues with Sunday travel?

Anyway - please accept my gratitude @reallyffspeople for working extra hours and getting us all seen sooner.

I'd have no issue with Sunday appointments.
My GP however keeps booking me on Fridays, the one day I'm off work with the kids and have no childcare options...

Complaining about a weekend appointment or an evening one leads to conclude people want time off work to go to it. And if they don't get that then don't want it.
Rubbish really.

Yeah it's just because up until recently weekend appointments weren't really a thing. I was a bit taken aback when given a Saturday..not that I complained. Its great they are now trying to do them seven days a week.

I hope you tell them that if they don't want it then the next one is in another year!

I normally work weekends so having a weekend appointment means I can usually get an extra day off. Ive had both urology and dermatology on a Saturday and tbh, the clinics were faster as the consultants wanted to get out and enjoy their weekends!!

I used to love a weekend appointment when it was just me, the only downside when I became a parent was childcare, so I used to turn them down and opt for mid week when nursery was open, but that then left an appointment for someone who could do a weekend.

Apparently people complain about late evening appointments also. I love an 8pm CT scan. No traffic on the road, hospital car park empty, easy to leave children with DH and less people in waiting rooms as whole families don't tend to want to camp out that late.

Give me evening or weekend appointments any time.

This is always my first thought.

Yes, you are.