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Original poster

NHS workers getting to the front of the queue

179 replies

Whatevah · 26/04/2020 09:47

Queuing for B&Q yesterday, about a 30 min queue. Lovely weather so nice to be out in the sun.
As I was at the front of the queue someone came up, asked if NHS could go straight in, guy said yes, and in they went.
I think it’s bloomin’ cheeky to go to the front of a queue just because you work for the NHS. There, I’ve said it. I’d never do it and think people who do are taking the p. There are plenty of discounts, offers, special hours and general public adoration being directed at the NHS. And it is deserved. But I think it takes a certain person to saunter to the front of the queue, and think it’s highly unfair on others. Especially as so many are working still, and don’t get this ‘perk’.
It really annoyed me.

OP posts:
FTMF30 · 26/04/2020 09:50

I agree. Especially for B&Q. It's not as though he/she would have been getting essentials. I'm getting a little fed up of this blanket NHS worship. I appreciate the NHS, I really do. But some things are getting a little OTT.

AvalancheKit · 26/04/2020 09:50

Maybe they needed to get the washer to fix a tap and get home and get some sleep before going on night shift. I have no urgency so will gladly stand at the back of the queue.

beebeedandelion · 26/04/2020 09:53

There are far worse things to get wound up about. What were you going to B&Q to buy - was your trip essential? After all if you are going to judge other people maybe we get to judge you?

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 26/04/2020 09:53

I couldnt get worked up about that. They are the ones facing this daily with not enough protection, and, quite literally, risking themselves for us.

If I have to wait an extra 10 minutes in a queue to make their lives a little easier right now then so be it.

WingBingo · 26/04/2020 09:54

I work for the NHS, in a non clinical role on a non clinical site.

I could If wanted to but it feels way to cheeky.

Acceptable for staff going to and from work though I think, especially if they are working shifts.

ShoeJunkie · 26/04/2020 09:55

I’m NHS but not ‘C-19 frontline’. I have made a conscious decision not to use my job title to go to the front of lines etc as I’m not pressed for time between shifts or anything like that.
That said for those on a rest day between ward shifts I can understand why they’d want to use that perk and be in and out as quickly as possible.

Samcro · 26/04/2020 09:55

it would annoy me. but then I hate queue jumpers

AvalancheKit · 26/04/2020 09:56

I remember nurses going without lunch breaks when on shift because they didn’t have the time.

RogueV · 26/04/2020 09:56

Stop being a knob.

There I said it.

Smileforthecamera · 26/04/2020 09:56

My only issue is it should be rolled out to other front line workers. My husband is a frontline worker but not in the nhs he faces daily risk of being infected etc whilst protecting the country from harm. It would just be nice to recognise all those who are at risk.

PTW1234 · 26/04/2020 09:57

I don’t think anyone should be going to b&q...

MozzchopsThirty · 26/04/2020 09:58

It wouldn't bother me

I'm nhs but have only used my badge once last week when I wanted to buy water in Sainsbury's before work

I went to b&q last week but just queued with everyone else, I don't need to be first in line for paint

Original poster
Whatevah · 26/04/2020 09:58

Interesting Wing, as I too work for the NHS. I’ve just finished a few weeks in Covid ICU doing nights.
It just feels so cheeky to me.
To clarify, it isn’t about going out, it’s about going to the front of a queue.
In line with government guidelines, if a shop is open you may buy anything from it. What they or I were here for is not the point, it was ‘allowed’.
There was an anaesthetist in the queue above me, they didn’t go to the front either.
I just think it’s a bit cheeky and unnecessary.
Also, it was 2pm in the afternoon, very doubtful nights were involved.

OP posts:
Magic2020 · 26/04/2020 09:59

I'm front line NHS but wouldn't do it! I have to admit that I do use the supermarket slot though, but mainly because I'm working long hours and just don't have time to queue (and shops are often shut when I finish).

DeathByBoredom · 26/04/2020 10:00

NHS is the biggest employer in Europe, so that's a lot of people who can go to the front of the queue. I like to think it is not being abused by non frontline, non stressed admin staff, but who knows? It's a lovely gesture to reduce stress and make life a tiny bit easier for those whose jobs are genuinely more stressful or dangerous because of covid19, but people are people - it'll always be abused as well.
20 seconds longer in a queue - I can cope with that

BulbTherapy · 26/04/2020 10:01

I have been issued with a letter at work in lieu of an NHS id. I tried four different shops yesterday to get something to eat at lunchtime before I gave in and tried to use the "golden ticket". They refused. I was in my uniform and everything but because it's not NHS it doesn't count. I ended up with nothing, cried a bit and went back to work.

They are doing an incredible job, but they are not the only people putting themselves in danger or pushed for time because of work.

sluj · 26/04/2020 10:01

@whatevah
Can you let us know how you are spending your lockdown days so that we can judge you fairly? Do you have anything else to do with your hours or are you on furlough/not at work? Perhaps you are a key worker too? Perhaps you are one of those keyworkers who are putting themselves and their families at risk to care for others?
I am a key worker but not in a caring position, I am working from home (mostly) full time but would never object to others jumping the queue if they work for the NHS or in a caring capacity. Some of them are working very long hours and may not have time to join queues.

Namelessinseattle · 26/04/2020 10:02

Volunteer for the NHS so you can avail of all the "perks".

sluj · 26/04/2020 10:03

Sorry, just seen your last post. You should also jump the queue if you are in a hurry because of work commitments. You deserve it and I would not object

browzingss · 26/04/2020 10:03

But then again, would you actually prefer to spend 30 minutes near NHS staff who may have actually been treating covid patients as part of their current duties? That length of time together in the same space may make the 2m social distance gap redundant. Logistically them going in & out as fast as possible will limit their potential spread of the virus. Medical staff working on covid wards are still allowed to go to the shops after all.

negomi90 · 26/04/2020 10:05

I did it on Friday. I was on my way home from a night shift and had no food in my house (I live alone so no one could shop for me). The idea of queuing for ages before breakfast and bed was not something my overtired brain could cope with. I was working during NHS time.
3 months ago after my final night shift I'd go out for breakfast and have a supermarket delivery arrive soon after I got home. That's obviously not possible right now and feeding myself post nights is a lot harder.

Tigertrees · 26/04/2020 10:06

I've heard of this and i think it's fine (and I don't work for the NHS!)
Realistically, a lot more people are at home with extra time for queueing.

Namelessinseattle · 26/04/2020 10:07

I'm in shock that you work for the NHS doing nights on an ICU award so are seeing people under so much stress and begrudge them skipping the queue. My brother came off an on call shift slept for 2 hours and then queued for an hour in the supermarket because he hadn't eaten the night before and was starving. I'd hate to think someone would challenge him because it didn't fit in with your definition of how you feel after working through the night. Also I'm delighted that your emotional resilience is what is that you're doing great after your shifts but his isn't so he's working on it which might require taking up a few perks.

TheSingingTowers · 26/04/2020 10:10

@sluj and @namelessinseattle

The op has already said that they are frontline NHS staff and have been working in ICU.

DurhamDurham · 26/04/2020 10:10

My daughter is a nurse at a busy hospital in Newcastle and she never goes to the front of the queue, when she has a day off she will queue to go into a shop just like the rest of us. Some of her colleagues are misusing it and it will start to annoy people, especially next week when the weather takes a turn for the worse and the rain comes.