to ask for an appointment at a different time?

[PenguinArmy]

DD (20 months) and DS (6 weeks) are due jabs in 2 weeks. Our GP surgery runs a children's immunisation clinic Tuesdays 2-2:50pm.

DDs nap time is 1:30-2:45 so clashes. Obviously I could put her down early and then leg it to the GP, but as you cam imagine with two this age things are hard enough already without them both having jabs with a probably overtired toddler.

WIBU to ask for a nurses appointment at a time that suits me better?

I did ask at reception when I was there the other day, but she made some oohs and aahs then and said she's have to ask someone. Since I was late for something else and felt I'd be making a fuss, I left it.

Well it wouldn't hurt to ask, but if they can't do it you will just have to go when they can fit you in

I would ask for the more convenient appointment, rather than a "cattle call" clinic. Especially with both of them so tiny.

Nothing wrong in asking, is there ?

Ours have a vaccination clinic that is run between certain times on specific days so it may be they can't make it later as clinic finishes. No harm in asking though, if they say no at least you tried

I'll be more brave when I get DH to ring them on the phone

would I be screwing up some weird system I don't know about though?

you can ask

if it is not possible, then at least you tried

don't be such a wuss

The only weird system you'll be screwing up is the 50min slot once a week for immunisations that your GP's practice has put in place for their own convenience.

The vaccinations are delivered in bulk and are stored in their fridge and are available anytime for use by a licensed practitioner.

I feel awful for complaining about this trivial matter. Cousin had a baby, but cord was round it's neck and now is in special care.

That puts some perspective on it

YABU
YABVU
YABVVU
YknowYABU

sorry could not help self
I don't think it is at all unreasonable to ask for a better suited time

You're very precise about your DD's nap time.

You can ask, there's no harm in it, but as someone who has had to miss whole days of work and therefore not get paid because of crap appointment times, I think you are being unreasonable.

People put up with what appointment times they are given for much more serious things than jabs and have to miss much more things than a specific nap time.

So if they haven't already acommodated it easily when you mentioned it, I think you should just leave it.

you are not "complaining"

you are asking if there is an alternative

the only way that would BU is if they said no and you threw a hissy fit and demanded to be seen at your convenience

really, it's not a biggie

Ask, a nurse can do them at any open surgery time and I would defo have them done a few weeks apart.

Bear in mind that they get targets and bonuses for immunisations, it is in their best interests to get your DC's jabs done. Neither of the 2 surgeries we have used for DD's jabs had weekly immunisation clinics, so it isn't the only way to do it.

Our old surgery had a specific vax clinic on Wednesday afternoons. There was no way I was taking time off work and DD out of nursery (that I was paying for) so I asked for a different time. Not a problem, nurse was available at 4.30 on a Friday so she did them then.

Our baby clinic is Thursdays 11:00-11:45. Not much use to me as we live 5 miles from the GP, work 20 miles away from the GP, and OH drops baby off at nursery at 9:00 so one of us would have to take a morning off work (home - GP - nursery - work is a 50 mile trip for me). So I asked for a different time and was told these were the only times available. No other times were available. So I said fine and hung up.

Next time I rang, I asked to speak to the practise manager, explained to her that we work, but would like our child to be immunised, and hey presto 8:40 on Wednesday becomes available. I've had to repeat the who-har for every immunisation, but at the end of the day the practise probably gets a better "score" for higher immunisation rates.

Juggling two children with nap times being so essential is harder work than full time work I think, so I'd hope the practise would cut you some slack. The receptionists can often serve to filter "difficult patients" - ask for the practise manager or talk to you GP directly. I'd suggest over the phone rather than in person..

YANBU, but when I got fitted in to an alternative immunisation appointment for my DD (12 months jab, I'd just gone back to work so wanted a non-working day or late, so I wouldn't have to take her back to nursery afterwards) the nurse accused me of not caring about DD's health

I thought it showed I cared enough about her physical and emotional health to get her immunised AND to be with her in case of any adverse reactions.

Wish I'd complained to the practise manager - it's over a year ago and it still makes me angry...