How do you manage attending appointments when you work full time?

[Gymmum82]

I returned to full time work in December having worked part time for the past several years whilst the children were small.
Work 9-5, no WFH options available. No flexi working.
In the past 2 months I’ve needed time off 4 times for child’s hospital appointments.
2 GP appointments for myself. I have a dentist appointment in a couple of weeks. I need to see a physio about an ongoing problem with my leg. I also need my car serviced and MOT done.

All in all it’s a lot of time off. How do other people manage this? Currently I’m using all of my annual leave to take time off for these appointments and I’m wondering how this is sustainable? I’ll have none left soon for actual holidays or time off for covering school holidays. Is this just normal for full time work? Previously I would have organised them all for my days off. It just feels so unsustainable

If your child has a condition going on for a year or more, my workplace would classify you as a carer for a person with a disability, which would give you more favourable treatment than just being a parent. This includes some time off to attend appointments with full pay. Partner and I are both full time but mines quite flexible and his is very flexible, he can just take flexi leave pretty much at will.

Take annual leave. I always think it's ironic that the NHS tells staff to book appointments outside of working hours and yet most outpatients services are only provided during normal working hours.

Car - put it in on a WFH day so drop off in morning and pick up whenever. Previously when in office 5 days per week it would go in on one of my days off or I would take the train to work. I would post keys through letterbox.

GP appointments - can get very late ones or telephone appointments.

Kid's hospital/medical appointments - I did 50% of them. Now she only has normal opticians and dentist so it's easier. Normal opticians her appointments are always about 5pm. Her NHS dentist is her dad's so he takes her.

Dentist - I have to take time off work for my check ups as they are NHS. If I need a separate clean then I can have a more flexible appointment as it's private.

Opticians - have to take time off work as contact lense optician only works certain days at this branch.

All places I've worked at people tend to make up time for GP/opticians/dentist and car/house stuff. However not for their own hospital appointments or if they are a carer.

Either I don’t accept the appointment in the first place and go without, (dentist) or try to make the appointment outside of work hours - which can be difficult given I work 6 days a week. If really unavoidable I try to pick a time I can rearrange my work around, maybe by swapping work with someone else or rearranging my entire day and doing a split shift.

Saturday for mot or drop in on way to work and pick up on way home. Gp open til 8pm 3 nights a week. Always could be a bit flexible if needing to arrive late/go early for dc hospital or took leave

For mot I use a garage near work for ease