If the doctors say they shut at 6 o'clock...

[notacooldad]

You should be able to book an appointment at 10 to 6?
Just starting this as conversation because I'm not fuming or angry or want to complain!🤣
I phoned doctors at 10 to 6 to book an appointment. The receptionist tells me she cant book anything as the system is closed. I asked why and she said they shut at 6.
I quite clearly understand that reception staff will have closing down procedures to do but would it be better to say something like last appointments to be made by say 5.30 or 5.45 rather than 6.00 but the system is already switched off then.

I wonder if this is a British thing.

Went to a cafe the other week that closed at 4:30. Not hot drinks though after 3:45. Why not just close at 3:45?

When I worked at a doctors surgery we weren't allowed to switch the phones over or shut anything down until exactly 7. There was always at least one call at 6.59 and we always answered (after groaning).

You rang the dr 10 minutes before they shut expecting an appointment... is this a joke?

If not then once you had travelled to the dr and checked in you would have no time for an appointment. That is assuming the doctors can drop whatever they were already doing to see you and haven't had delays during the day meaning existing appointments were knocked back later.

Honestly, I can't believe a rational adult would think this is ok.

Sorry OP. I misread. You wanted to book an appointment not for the same day. In which case YANBU and I don't understand why that isn't possible.

YANBU, course they should still be able to book an appointment for another day at that time.

@MaryBoBary she wasn’t ringing to book an appointment for right now, just to generally book one for another time. That’s how I read it anyway

MaryBoBary she wasn’t ringing to book an appointment for right now, just to generally book one for another time. That’s how I read it anyway
That's right, I just need a general appointment any time next week.
I have decided I need help with the menopause. I'm struggling now!!😭

I think a lot of go surgeries are now carrying the whole COVID thing too far, they are making up their own rules as they go. If they are still seeing patients the system would be on to make an appointment.

Where are you, OP? In England, core contractual hours for GPs end at 6.30pm and there should be some way for you to contact the surgery (even if only in an emergency) until then. Mind you, one place I worked switched the main phones off at 6pm, Reception went home, and between 6 and 6.30 any callers were told to hold if it was an emergency and were then put through to the duty doctor on their mobile.

I don’t think it’s that bad. It will stay open until six because last appointments will be finishing then, but if they took calls right up until 6 they would never close on time? When working at nurseries we frequently had parents who would show up at 6pm on the dot (nursery closing time) and then expect a chat about their child’s day, despite the fact that the nursery closed at 6pm and that was when my shift ended.

It is annoying you couldn’t make an appointment though, hope you can make one soon.

I do agree it would probably be better for them to advertise that last calls need to be made before x time though.

Recently urgently needed to see a doctor, as it was just after 5.30pm I phoned 111. They said my doctors surgery was listed as open until 6.30pm so they couldn't help me until after this time. I phoned and phoned and phoned doctors but no one answered it just rang. At 6.30pm I phoned 111 and they helped me. Next time I enquired at surgery why no one had answered, they simply said we work until 6.30pm but no one answers phone after 5.30pm, we just spend last hour tidying up and doing paperwork!

YANBU.

Because they close at 6? You don't get a 10 minute appointment at 5:50, ushered out the room and then they lock up and go. The GP has to write notes, make any necessary referrals, the receptionists need to do their end of day procedures etc.

YABU to expect an appointment at 5:50 when they shut at 6

That seems ridiculous. I work in bookings and have to answer the phone up until home time, and book people in even if I answer 1 min before and then end up finishing late

Well, at least now you know to book appointments before 5.50pm.

The receptionist probably has to shut systems down, lock up, set alarms etc.

But if they say they are open until 6, you should be able to use the service (make an appointment, not actually have it) at 5.50. If they want to be out of the door at 6, they should set their closing time at 5.45.

If the OP had said 5.58, I would have sympathy with the practice, but not that long before closing time.

The problem is probably down to management failing to recognise the time needed to close up. It happens with shops too. Often they won't let you in 10-15 minutes before closing time, even if you know what you want and can be quick.

Sometimes you spend more time explaining this than you would have taken to just go in the shop and pick up and pay for your item.

@ThatsNotMyReindeer you’ve misread like PP, she wasn’t ringing at 5.50 to book an appointment for 5.50, she was ringing to book an appointment for a later date 👍🏻

@ThatsNotMyReindeer
Because they close at 6? You don't get a 10 minute appointment at 5:50, ushered out the room and then they lock up and go. The GP has to write notes, make any necessary referrals, the receptionists need to do their end of day procedures etc

YABU to expect an appointment at 5:50 when they shut at 6 confused
Clearly you have not understood my post or read any others.🤷‍♀️
I didn't want to see a doctor there and then and even if I could I wouldn't have made it.
I wanted to 'book' an appointment.
I'm not stupid, that's why I said in my opening post that I know they have closing down procedures.