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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think my GP surgery should find time to give me the flu Jab?

60 replies

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 15/10/2016 20:55

My GP surgery texted me 3 times last week to tell me I needed to book a flu Jab. I've never had a flu Jab before but after the 3rd text I rang the surgery.

Apparently, because of a medical condition I was diagnosed with earlier this year, I now qualify for a flu jab. I told the receptionist that I wasn't actually bothered about having one but she explained that the surgery has a target to meet of getting people who should have a flu Jab to have one. Fair enough, so I said I would. She then told me that they will be holding two flu clinics in the next two weeks. Both dates/times are on days I have important meetings at work that I absolutely cannot miss. The latest appintment at either clinic is 5pm.

So, I explained to the receptionist that I cannot attend those dates. I also said that I do have an appointment booked with a nurse next week for some blood tests, so could I have the jab then? Apparently not. The nurse can only do the flu Jab at the clinics, which I can't attend. The receptionist started to query why I couldn't take an afternoon off work to attend a flu clinic. I did explain that, most of the time I can be quite flexible, but not on those particular days. She got quite huffy with me.

AIBU to think that if the surgery is that desperate for me to have the jab in order to meet their targets then the nurse should be able to administer it when I go to a routine appointment?

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 15/10/2016 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Viiolettheorgangrinder · 15/10/2016 21:01

Asda are doing flu jabs for a fiver at the moment.

Nurszilla · 15/10/2016 21:01

I think normally Tesco will do them for free if you're in the correct target group, which it sounds like you are. My work also has a target amount of staff to receive the vaccine but they are incredibly flexible, the matron will just pop up with the injection whenever someone is available.

Original poster
UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 15/10/2016 21:04

I don't really want he flu jab, I was only agree g to it because the receptionist was going on about their targets. And then said I couldn't have one when I'm already booked in to see a nurse because it's "got to be done at the flu clinic". It just seems ridiculous.

OP posts:
Allalonenow · 15/10/2016 21:06

Lots of places do them now, pop into Boots in your lunch hour one day. There is probably info on their web site.

SpaghettiMeatballs · 15/10/2016 21:06

Maddening isn't it? DCs need them but they can't have them at the same time. They each need a separate appointment which can only be on a Saturday at our surgery. The 4 year old will have an appointment and then we go and sit outside for 50 minutes before the 2 year old is allowed his.

It is beyond my comprehension why they can't do them both in the same appointment given that last year the majority of the time was spent imparting generic information and the nasal spray itself took seconds.

I'm with other posters who suggest you should just go to a pharmacy.

BishopBrennansArse · 15/10/2016 21:07

Well don't be bothered about their stats if they're not bothered enough to accommodate you. Every surgery in our small town has at least one Saturday flu jab clinic.

LilQueenie · 15/10/2016 21:08

if you dont want it dont have it. They have targets to meet. Obviously not caring about health like they are supposed but targets. Im actually amazed that she admitted to it.

BusStopBetty · 15/10/2016 21:09

I couldn't have mine until well into November. Boots did it the next day for free - it's free if you are elderly, have asthma etc. And you can book online.

Starlight2345 · 15/10/2016 21:10

I would mention it to nurse when you go for blood tests...I have had a smear squeezed in before with a bp monitoring.

melibu84 · 15/10/2016 21:10

So you don't want the flu jab, but now you're complaining that they can't do it on certain days? How about you just don't have it lol.

Joolsy · 15/10/2016 21:11

My nurse gave me a flu jab at my annual asthma review. I wasn't expecting it but she suggested it so I thought I might as well. She had a supply of the jabs in her drawer. I'd be surprised if other nurses didn't do the same at other surgeries

CauliflowerSqueeze · 15/10/2016 21:11

When you see the nurse, tell her. It will come up on her screen anyway. Takes seconds to do. It doesn't need to be done at a special clinic. They are being ridiculous.

Heirhelp · 15/10/2016 21:12

If you are entitled to it on the NHS then you can get it done free at boots. I paid for mine this year but when I was entitled to it last year by GP had lots of drop in sessions, during the day and evening sessions.

travailtotravel · 15/10/2016 21:17

I have something similar with my lot I didn't bother as I am also not that convinced that flu jabs make that much difference unless you're super elderly or very vulnerable as it depends on the strain of flu that is most virulent in your area.

I can normally only get my bloods done on a Wednesday when the moon is ascendant.

Original poster
UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 15/10/2016 21:18

melibu I couldn't care less whether I have the flu Jab, I was agreeing to have it so that my GP surgery could meet their targets. I'm just not prepared to miss an important meeting when I am attending the surgery on a different day and can't see any reason why they can't do it then. I don't think IABU in that.

OP posts:
glenthebattleostrich · 15/10/2016 21:19

Our gps are amazing at this.

3 drop in sessions, 1 on a week day, 2 on Saturday. No appointment, but they have 5 teams giving the jab. 1 Person takes details and updates their file the other stabs you with the needle. I was in and out in 90 seconds today. They also have people controlling the queues so it is incredibly efficient.

2ndSopranos · 15/10/2016 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EmzDisco · 15/10/2016 21:21

Id ask the nurse on your next appt. I have a condition that qualifies me and have often had it done by nurse or GP when in for something else. Silly if they can't accommodate you outside of 2 days of flu clinic.

RueDeWakening · 15/10/2016 21:24

I took DS2 for his preschool booster the other day, the nurse took advantage of me being there and did my flu jab in the same appointment.

Ask the nurse when you see her, ime they're quite flexible, much more so than the receptionists can be.

sparechange · 15/10/2016 21:25

You can get it done at most pharmacies
If you are entitled to one at the GP, it is free at the pharmacy
It was a true walk in service when I went last year. The pharmacist stepped out from around the counter, took me into a side room, gave me the injection and I was on my way in less time than it would have taken to queue up to check in for my appointment at the GP

PeachBellini123 · 15/10/2016 21:26

I'm having mine at my local Asda as the times avaliable at my GPs are so limited.

MalbecAndLindt · 15/10/2016 21:29

Definitely mention it to the nurse at your appointment. I had mine yesterday (first time ever but pregnant so felt it beneficial) and it tool about 90 seconds. She spent longer chastising me (in a friendly manner) that I haven't had it before as I have asthma.

verystressedmum · 15/10/2016 21:30

The nurse gave me the jab at an appointment for something else. I took dc to a drop in and wait session after school.
Dh had his in Sainsbury's as he couldn't get to any appointments.

If you don't want one you don't actually have to have it.
If you want it but can't get to the doctors, go to a pharmacy.

Bugsylugs · 15/10/2016 21:32

2ndsopranos it is because it is a public health (so council) initiative and not health.
I think next year GPs will do less and other services may suffer .
OP the choice is yours. when you have your blood test the nurse may well do it. The reason you are offered it is if you get the flu you are more likely to have complications. Sounds like the surgery need some improvement in communication
sparechange you should have been 'made ' to wait for some time after.

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