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AIBU?

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Original poster

GP didn’t call me because their “workday has ended”

262 replies

angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:37

I had a telephone call booked in at 15:40.

It rolls around and no call. 17:30 comes and goes which is when the surgery closes.

I get a text to say it’s not been completed as they got to the end of their workday and couldn’t make the call, which means at least 8 people were in the same position as me, they didn’t have their calls made.

So I now have to compete again tomorrow for an on the day call, and even having one booked in doesn’t guarantee it!

AIBU to think this is exactly why so many people end up in A&E? We’re told to go to our GP, but our GP won’t see us!

OP posts:
Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 18:08

adlitem · 26/02/2026 18:06

There you go @TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg - OP thinks the GP should have stayed and finished all the appointments, regardless of their working hours and out of work commitments.

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Is that so shocking?

other workers do it constantly. Doctors at hospitals, if I were to have client meetings and one overran I can’t just leave. I’d make an effort to stay, not just palm people off like this.

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 26/02/2026 18:06

That's disgraceful and complaint worthy. My GP has signs saying if a patiemt is late, they will only be seen at the doctor's discretion. I'd be playing that back to them.

adlitem · 26/02/2026 18:06

angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 18:05

In a way yes? I think it’s pretty shocking when it’s healthcare that they can just up and leave and leave patients in limbo!

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There you go @TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg - OP thinks the GP should have stayed and finished all the appointments, regardless of their working hours and out of work commitments.

Flocke · 26/02/2026 18:05

Anyahyacinth · 26/02/2026 17:55

A new low...I've had them call far later but never not bother. Quite shocked they didnt finish their list.

Certainly it's dreadful you have to rebook. Sorry OP. I'd complain

But what if they needed to pick kids up? Or had an appointment themself? It’s not necessarily just “not bothering”. You can’t just leave kids at nursery at extra 2 hours after it’s shut because you need to work longer!

You should read threads on here when an employer has asked someone to make sure they are at their desk with computer on and logged in and ready to work for 9am. And the amount of people that would refuse to do that because the few minutes before 9am turning the computer on would not be paid!

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 18:05

adlitem · 26/02/2026 18:03

Partly.

OP also seems to think that the GP should have continued working and not just gone home when their working day was over.

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In a way yes? I think it’s pretty shocking when it’s healthcare that they can just up and leave and leave patients in limbo!

OP posts:
Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 18:04

For clarity it’s a cyst in my knee that’s causing agony. I just want some pain relief while I wait for my ortho referral that’s been made. The physio can’t prescribe and signposted me to the GP.

I’m guessing my only option now will be 111. I don’t know if they can even help

OP posts:
goz · 26/02/2026 18:04

TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg · 26/02/2026 18:01

I think she’s made it clear, and it seems pretty obvious anyway, what the alternative is? That she would be put on the next days list automatically.

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I’ve already stated that is what should have happened. But OP does seem disproportionately outraged that the GP didn’t stay the 3 additional hours to make up for whatever emergency took place in the day. Moaning about “what other jobs” when actually millions of people up and down the county across all professions do often just need to leave when they are finished contractually.

adlitem · 26/02/2026 18:03

TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg · 26/02/2026 18:02

I think the true issue is how it's handled - communication and rescheduling - and the fact it's generally so hard to access GPs.

Yes, that’s what the OP said.

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Partly.

OP also seems to think that the GP should have continued working and not just gone home when their working day was over.

simpledeer · 26/02/2026 18:03

I would assume they were dealing with emergencies.

Or do you mean you think they shouldn’t leave work on time?

TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg · 26/02/2026 18:02

adlitem · 26/02/2026 17:55

I get your frustration, but I once had an afternoon appointment cancelled because someone had been taken very ill at the GP surgery and the GP of course spent time attending to this person until the ambulance came rather than dealing with routine appointments. I, of course, did not expect the GP to then work hours beyond her work hours to "make up" for the appointments that were missed. The GP is just doing a job too and one I imagine that more often than not does not feel finished. Most people wouldn't.

I think the true issue is how it's handled - communication and rescheduling - and the fact it's generally so hard to access GPs.

I think the true issue is how it's handled - communication and rescheduling - and the fact it's generally so hard to access GPs.

Yes, that’s what the OP said.

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 18:01

I just find it really frustrating that they talk so much about how each missed appointment costs them so much money. But when they don’t work it’s fine?

OP posts:
adlitem · 26/02/2026 18:01

angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:57

My issue is more that they’ve not said they’ll call tomorrow, but that I have to try and get a same day appointment again tomorrow.

I can’t imagine many jobs where you can just up and leave at done time and not finish work because something else happened that day

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I'd say most jobs are like that. Where do you work where you have to stay till everything is done even well beyond your working hours? Do you stay for hours extra to finish off absolutely everything? GP have childcare and other things they need to be able to get back to. And are in a line of work where delays happen all the time. They are dealing with unwell people, who can't necessarily be rushed on.

I do agree on the communication and rescheduling though, as I already said.

TheChickenOrTheMiniEgg · 26/02/2026 18:01

goz · 26/02/2026 17:53

I imagine they’ve triaged the remaining patients and dealt with the more pressing cases. Although it’s annoying I’m not really sure what you think the alternative is?

I think she’s made it clear, and it seems pretty obvious anyway, what the alternative is? That she would be put on the next days list automatically.

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:57

darkchocolatebounty · 26/02/2026 17:57

Are you sure you have to call tomorrow? You haven’t actually said what the message said.

Why not call the surgery now to find out?

The surgery closed half an hour ago!

the message just said that the doctor has finished and to rebook for tomorrow

OP posts:
darkchocolatebounty · 26/02/2026 17:57

Are you sure you have to call tomorrow? You haven’t actually said what the message said.

Why not call the surgery now to find out?

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:57

adlitem · 26/02/2026 17:55

I get your frustration, but I once had an afternoon appointment cancelled because someone had been taken very ill at the GP surgery and the GP of course spent time attending to this person until the ambulance came rather than dealing with routine appointments. I, of course, did not expect the GP to then work hours beyond her work hours to "make up" for the appointments that were missed. The GP is just doing a job too and one I imagine that more often than not does not feel finished. Most people wouldn't.

I think the true issue is how it's handled - communication and rescheduling - and the fact it's generally so hard to access GPs.

My issue is more that they’ve not said they’ll call tomorrow, but that I have to try and get a same day appointment again tomorrow.

I can’t imagine many jobs where you can just up and leave at done time and not finish work because something else happened that day

OP posts:
Zov · 26/02/2026 17:56

angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:53

The online form is why I got the appointment, which I was so happy with. It’s some weird AI triage now and it decided I needed a same day appointment. I’m going to get home and call 111, but I don’t know if OOH GPs call or if you have to go and see them?

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Well that is bad then. They should have called you. TODAY. That's the standard they have to adhere to with this new system, I am sure.

I would definitely complain to the practice tomorrow.

user1476613140 · 26/02/2026 17:55

Scotland is it?

Anyahyacinth · 26/02/2026 17:55

A new low...I've had them call far later but never not bother. Quite shocked they didnt finish their list.

Certainly it's dreadful you have to rebook. Sorry OP. I'd complain

adlitem · 26/02/2026 17:55

I get your frustration, but I once had an afternoon appointment cancelled because someone had been taken very ill at the GP surgery and the GP of course spent time attending to this person until the ambulance came rather than dealing with routine appointments. I, of course, did not expect the GP to then work hours beyond her work hours to "make up" for the appointments that were missed. The GP is just doing a job too and one I imagine that more often than not does not feel finished. Most people wouldn't.

I think the true issue is how it's handled - communication and rescheduling - and the fact it's generally so hard to access GPs.

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:55

goz · 26/02/2026 17:53

I imagine they’ve triaged the remaining patients and dealt with the more pressing cases. Although it’s annoying I’m not really sure what you think the alternative is?

Guaranteeing me an appointment tomorrow morning?

OP posts:
janietreemore · 26/02/2026 17:54

goz · 26/02/2026 17:53

I imagine they’ve triaged the remaining patients and dealt with the more pressing cases. Although it’s annoying I’m not really sure what you think the alternative is?

They could send a text apologising and offering an appointment for the following morning.

Original poster
angelinlothian · 26/02/2026 17:53

Zov · 26/02/2026 17:51

That is bad @angelinlothian Do you have this online triage thing that many practices have now? I was skeptical about it, (it all changed over October 2025,) but ours is good. We get a response from the practice within 2-3 hours of putting the form in online. Sometimes a text, sometimes a phone call, sometimes offering you a doctor's appointment.

DH actually put a request in (online) for a med that he'd had before several times but doesn't have on repeat. He put it in at 11am. At 2.30pm he got a text saying a GP will call him after 4pm. He had had no call by 5.40pm (they close at 6pm) so he rang them, and the receptionist said 'the GPs do sometimes stay til 8pm, and he will call tonight for sure.'

7.30pm the GP called. Sent the prescription for his meds straight to Boots.

I would complain if I were you.

The online form is why I got the appointment, which I was so happy with. It’s some weird AI triage now and it decided I needed a same day appointment. I’m going to get home and call 111, but I don’t know if OOH GPs call or if you have to go and see them?

OP posts:
janietreemore · 26/02/2026 17:53

whattheysay · 26/02/2026 17:42

Wouldn’t they call the people who didn’t get a call tomorrow rather than go through the process of being put on the list?
If people are that bad they would go straight to a&e not call their gp and not wait for a telephone call.

People who are not emergencies end up clogging up A&e because their GP lets them down.

goz · 26/02/2026 17:53

I imagine they’ve triaged the remaining patients and dealt with the more pressing cases. Although it’s annoying I’m not really sure what you think the alternative is?