Supermarket NHS times

[Tiredoutteacher2020]

I'm a key worker (teacher). All the supermarkets near me now have an NHS worker hour from 7-8am. This is the time I'd shop on the way to work. The shops are too busy on my return and I don't feel safe when the shops are busy. The shops are also empty by 6pm on my return. So when do I shop? Weekends are manic and busy. I understand NHS should take priority but without children being looked after many key workers wouldn't be able to work. I feel a bit let down and a bit worried about staying healthy as unlikely I'll get fresh food now. Aibu?

We're not the only school in this position.

I think the problem is there is such a wide range of NHS workers. I think the protected time is probably intended for the front line health staff working crazy shifts rather than admin people working 9-5 (not to say the latter arent important, but I don’t think that’s who the policy is aimed at). The problem is that anyone with an NHS ID can go and it’s not manageable.

Go on the mornings that aren'y nhs/elderly etc, its not every day

True but we're not admin people. We're essential to NHS staff (and others) still being able to go to work.

Lazy puppy - it's Monday to Friday near me.

Just a thought - when I was a child at school, there were disruptions of some sort in society - and all of the children still in school were taken into the hall for singing/music for an hour or two with minimal supervision at lunchtime (i.e. maybe 3 staff in the hall at a time), presumably to allow staff to have a lunch break. Surely your Head could put this in place with a staff rota so that staff can at least get the lunch break they're legally required to have?

I suggested that most towns have two or three supermarkets that could be allocated: one to NHS/KEY workers, another to elderly/vulnerable and the rest to everyone else. You may not get your favourite store but better to eat Morrisons potatoes than no potatoes.

I was poo-pooed

Can I suggest you try your local corner shop? My nearest one had tomatoes, cucumber, orange squash, loads of tinned food which was sold out in tesco the previous day. There was no bread but they did have micro rice. I hope you find a solution but even as a Sahm who could go anytime I cant get what I need or would ideally want to eat. I am going to use up what we have in now.
Do you have a local aid group you could ask somebody to shop for you. And appeal for help about the school meals issue.

Thanks for the suggestions

Ward staff in my Trust start day shift at 0730 so those times are no good for them either.

StCharlotte That sounds like a good idea

It was so rammed today during the NHS hour that people were queuing out of doors and couldn't practice safe social distancing apparently so be thankful you didn't go. I am NHS and also appreciate other key workers. I went to my local supermarket yesterday and it was empty and much fully than it has been previously.

Go at 6:45-7am? If you are only wanting essentials it will only take a 10 minutes to get it all and to checkouts before the NHS hour starts.

Or try local corner shop

But honestly this post is a bit precious yes OK you are looking after kids but you can't compare that to the stress of working as a critical care nurse can you?

Are you so strict on your nutrition you don't eat any chocolate, cake, crisps etc and only good clean foods? If so in all honesty you will probably scrape something healthy together from what is left there anyway

@Tiredoutteacher2020 sorry I didn’t mean teachers were admin people - I meant NHS workers who have an ID but aren’t frontline working anti social hours. Teachers are providing an essential service at the moment and I get your frustration

Tesco's near me were letting any key worker in with a valid id today! It was still rammed though so I'm not sure if social distancing is your goal the dedicated hour is the way to go if I'm honest.

Only Sainsbury's are doing it every day apart from Sunday. Tesco's are only sundays. Asda are Monday Wednesday and Friday and marks and spencer are Tuesdays I think. None of the solutions so far are perfect we just have to hope people have stocked up now and it can all calm down.

No knit- I'm being precious to want to eat and to want to eat healthily so I can do my job? We're so short staffed that the school would close if one more person went off. Thanks for your kind and thoughtful concern. You clearly have compassion issues. I hope you don't need your child to be looked after a teacher who can't get to a shop to feed themselves.

FWIW - the shops aren't open until 7am here.

NoKnit

It may be different by you but most stores by me are closed now overnight till 7 or 8 depending to give them a chance to restock. And then most have asked the first hours are reserved for the vulnerable. I'm sure with a valid if they would let you in for the nhs hour. We are all needed to get through this I can't see a problem personally.

I'm sat here crying. There just seems to be little or no understanding. This has been the toughest week I've ever had (and believe me I've dealt with stuff before).

Not all NHS staff need dedicated hours, there I said it. Everyone does play a vital role in the NHS, so not saying that anyone is more important (although in these circumstances arguably there are...), but not all are working long shifts. The scenes today were not all people working the frontline, they just weren't. The hours should be for key workers, but those who genuinely have no other means of shopping at other times, or having others to go for them. It was downright dangerous, and I'm surprised anyone set foot in there to be honest.

Teachers should be included in my opinion.

I can’t imagine 8-9 M-F will be much use to many NHS workers either - nurses start at 7am, doctors start at either 8am or 8:30 - not enough time to do a full supermarket shop and still get into work!

The hours should be for key workers, but those who genuinely have no other means of shopping at other times, or having others to go for them. It was downright dangerous, and I'm surprised anyone set foot in there to be honest.

I agree I don't see anyway of policing who are and aren't able to shop at other times though. Today was the first day and they are lessons to be learnt. Sainsbury's listened to people feedback about separating the nhs and vulnerable hours maybe it's worth feeding back about other key workers or better ways to mange things?

Do you have a neighbourhood group? We've got one here to help people who have had to self-isolate, with shopping and prescriptions. We'd certainly be happy to help someone out in your position. Do you have friends who are not working but could do a shop for you?

Please don't cry - this situation is an absolute shit show and I'm disappointed by the selfishness of some people.

Sign up to next door and post a message asking for help to do your shopping. There are people that WILL help.

nextdoor.co.uk/

Or try looking for groups on Facebook to see who is organising shopping/food parcel drop offs in your area.

Good luck

Hi, have you contacted one of the groups who are helping people in isolation (look on face book) if you explain your position I am sure someone will be able to help.

And thank you for all you are doing. This is a different war with different hero’s and you are one of them.