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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To disagree with NHS only petrol stations?

638 replies

pistachio20 · 27/09/2021 11:08

Some petrol stations around me have now said that they are only allowing in NHS staff to refuel - apparently checking ID.

I find this completely ridiculous and unfair - not only because the majority of NHS staff where I live can easily get public transport to work (most who I know don’t drive to work anyway, and get train/bus anyway due to lack of free parking!).

So many crucial jobs require people to drive, let alone people with caring responsibilities, mobility issues, etc.

AIBU to think that it’s unfair?

OP posts:
FangsForTheMemory · 27/09/2021 22:42

How can you disagree with a petrol station? A lively discussion followed by handbags at dawn on Hounslow Heath?

ColorMagicBarbie · 27/09/2021 22:44

Some of our truck drivers couldn't get in today due to not being able to get fuel. Oh the irony!

IvorHughJarrs · 27/09/2021 22:44

I'm NHS but would never dream of queue jumping or claiming a priority for petrol (although I do use NHS discounts from large companies which I justify as they won't offer what they can't afford and I can use those savings well)
I am more worried about getting to my elderly mum who lives 60 miles away for her hospital appointments but I'm hoping things will resolve by the time I need to fill up

NiceGerbil · 27/09/2021 22:51

No that's silly.

There are tons of essential jobs.

DH works in a public sector role out on the road keeping public transport going.

Apparently their vehicles and also ambulances use normal petrol stations and have done for some years.

Loads of people need to drive to work esp shift workers. Eg DH drives as his early shifts start before the general day bus services start for obvious reasons.

Then there's care workers, people who work in things like sorting out burst water mains, operating power stations and sewage works.

I mean as we learnt in the first lockdown there are a hell of a lot of people who do jobs that keep everything ticking over in really important ways.

I would hope that all the fuel stations have put a max spend in place.

I suppose as well there's all the tradespeople who go around in vans and are pretty important if you have a flood in the house, boiler conks out, electrics go etc.

The govt have been warned about this coming for months and months.

They are blaming the haulage companies and the public...

cherubtastic · 27/09/2021 22:56

Shiny I’m not distracting from your point - I used to do the same job so appreciate your challenges wholeheartedly- but I would also argue that Sandra on ward 4 plays a vital role as without her we can’t have notes and can’t do treatments/procedures etc. Alot of people here tonight looking down on admin staff. There are certain parts of the nhs that can be done from home to some degree - finance, HR, absence management, OH etc. We do need Sandra! But we all need fuel too. It would be great if everywhere could allocate certain pumps to all keyworkers but that isn’t going to be feasible. I hope you manage to get some soon x

Comefromaway · 27/09/2021 23:08

Whilst I agree Sandra is essential in the short term I think Mandy the carer who visits 10 dementia sufferers a day in their own homes is higher up in the scale of immediate need.

LemonadeSunshine · 27/09/2021 23:08

My next door neighbour works one shift a week in hospital, lift shares on that one day.

During the first lock down, she would don her uniform just to go shopping 'as she had priority'.
I lost all respect for her then and expect her to do the same if she can have priority for fuel too.

KissKissButtCheek · 27/09/2021 23:11

A friend of mine cries out I'm a NHS/keyworker, got to do her shopping etc in the last lockdown!
She works in admin doing statistics. Literally sits in front of a computer all day.
Now tell me how that is more important than a private carer who travels to see patients on a daily basis to give care, feed them, be their company etc. So so many people will be lost without those wonderful carers.
My DP is a logistics and terminal manager for a huge freight company. They do all the deliveries for a very large supermarket. From 7:00qm to 7:00pm he in front of 7 screens plannijg every single lorry and train to make sure they get their deliveries so we can do our shopping and eat food! He needs to be in the office to do his job - he has fuel for 3 maybe 4 more days of travelling. We've not gone to a petrol station yet as we are not in dire need, but will be by the end of the week. Isn't his job just as important as the NHS admin worker?

KissKissButtCheek · 27/09/2021 23:17

Blimey cracking spelling happening on my post....
Apologies for the fat finger typing lol

Malteser71 · 27/09/2021 23:52

DH is a hospital consultant. He’s on call Wednesday from 5pm.

There are no ‘on call’ rooms for him to sleep in, and nor would he want to.

Very little petrol left. He will be at home, on call

Springleaves · 28/09/2021 00:13

@KissKissButtCheek

A friend of mine cries out I'm a NHS/keyworker, got to do her shopping etc in the last lockdown! She works in admin doing statistics. Literally sits in front of a computer all day. Now tell me how that is more important than a private carer who travels to see patients on a daily basis to give care, feed them, be their company etc. So so many people will be lost without those wonderful carers. My DP is a logistics and terminal manager for a huge freight company. They do all the deliveries for a very large supermarket. From 7:00qm to 7:00pm he in front of 7 screens plannijg every single lorry and train to make sure they get their deliveries so we can do our shopping and eat food! He needs to be in the office to do his job - he has fuel for 3 maybe 4 more days of travelling. We've not gone to a petrol station yet as we are not in dire need, but will be by the end of the week. Isn't his job just as important as the NHS admin worker?
It doesn’t fit the narrative. Honestly I am despairing as to where common sense has gone. Dramatic license has a lot to answer for. All our consultants have use of an on call room too.
Vivana · 28/09/2021 00:24

Already had people call in as can't get to work as there are no buses where I work. I'm a support worker for adults with autism and now been here since Sunday morning. Luckly I can sleep over but I want to go home tomorrow fingers crossed

Itsnotallaboutyoubaby · 28/09/2021 00:35

@Vivana

Already had people call in as can't get to work as there are no buses where I work. I'm a support worker for adults with autism and now been here since Sunday morning. Luckly I can sleep over but I want to go home tomorrow fingers crossed
I used to work like that in the same sector. I’d work a shift, sleep over and then work the early shift. It was hard work. I hope you manage to sleep and that you get home soon Flowers
Morph2lcfc · 28/09/2021 06:16

The thing is it’s not like the lockdowns where there was a government announcement to work from home. Lots of ppl are back working in offices now and not all employers are giving the option to wfh. I could quite easily wfh (did for 18 months) but we are now all expected to work in the office since the isolstion rules changed so I had to fill up at weekend to allow me to do my commute. It’s all very well saying ppl in non keyworker jobs shouldn’t take fuel but that’s no good if they are going to get sacked for not turning up for work or lose days of pay.

AICM · 28/09/2021 06:26

Everybody now is shouting 'We all have equal status when it comes to getting to work' but 6 months ago when going to work was scary a lot of people seemed very happy to give some jobs higher status when it comes to getting to work.

Funny that.

This thing will.be over by next week. But if it wasn't schools would start to close. Mumsnet would explode with calls for teachers to be given petrol.

chocolateorangeinhaler · 28/09/2021 06:41

Ok so are you happy for your nearest and dearest to be without essentials like bed linens because the lorries that deliver it daily to hospitals can't get fuel either??

It's not just people getting to work. How do you think drugs, food, medical equipment, rubbish removal etc will hsppen at any hospital in the uk if selfish idiots keep topping up a tank with a fivers worth - just incase.

rednetflix · 28/09/2021 06:45

I disagree too. I think the government need to step in and sort it out round our way, so many people have been walking off with cans of fuel wtf. How is that ok atm?!

I think unless these people are genuinely those required in emergency situations we're all going to have to chip in and get on with it the same. I don't get paid if I don't go to work. If the government want to help me stay at home go for it but if not, I need fuel else my family goes without!

Morph2lcfc · 28/09/2021 06:45

@AICM

Everybody now is shouting 'We all have equal status when it comes to getting to work' but 6 months ago when going to work was scary a lot of people seemed very happy to give some jobs higher status when it comes to getting to work.

Funny that.

This thing will.be over by next week. But if it wasn't schools would start to close. Mumsnet would explode with calls for teachers to be given petrol.

The thing is though in the lockdowns non essential shops were closed and there was a directive to work from home if you could. It would be very noble if the minimum wage worker from sports direct decided not to go to work as they wanted to leave fuel for the nhs but is anyone going to thank them for this when they’ve been sacked for not turning up (assuming no public transport available)
tttigress · 28/09/2021 06:46

There would be no NHS if there were no economy.

Many people are doiy "essential" work that isn't so visible as for example a nurse.

Whammyyammy · 28/09/2021 06:46

I'm NHS, have an NHS ID card so could fill up there then, but I work from home.... so somewhat unfair

SquareYellow · 28/09/2021 07:05

@OnTheBoardwalk

I must admit I was surprised to see an ambulance at a petrol station rather than their own re fuelling station. They should put the blue lights on and get in the front of the queue

Frontline absolutely should get priority although I do remember an incident in 1st class years ago. A passenger said she was entitled to a 1st class upgrade for free. Reason why she worked for a charity. When pushed she said that charity was the NHS. When pushed again she worked in the back office

Er heads up, ambulance and police stations don’t have their own fucking petrol stations! They use the same ones as the rest of us.
QuickieNCForThis · 28/09/2021 07:10

I disagree too. I think the government need to step in and sort it out round our way, so many people have been walking off with cans of fuel wtf. How is that ok atm?!

If someone is walking with a can of fuel, surely it's because they have no petrol at all in their car now and had to walk to
find a petrol station in order to fill a jerry can and get their car back up and running again.

Morph2lcfc · 28/09/2021 07:14

@QuickieNCForThis

I disagree too. I think the government need to step in and sort it out round our way, so many people have been walking off with cans of fuel wtf. How is that ok atm?!

If someone is walking with a can of fuel, surely it's because they have no petrol at all in their car now and had to walk to
find a petrol station in order to fill a jerry can and get their car back up and running again.

Agree walking off with a can of fuel I’d expect to be more regular as people run out whilst trying to find fuel. Filling multiple cans in the back of a car another story although of course there are a few who do need this for their jobs
Littlescottiedog · 28/09/2021 07:23

@OuiOuiBonjour Sorry, I was being tongue-in-cheek but it obviously came across as too sincere!