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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think doctors surgeries should not close on Monday

122 replies

Viviennemary · 16/09/2022 10:16

Just read NHS surgeries have been advised to close on Monday. All appoitmemts to be rescheduled. Or is it ok because it's now a bank holiday.

OP posts:
memorial · 16/09/2022 13:46

Sarahcoggles · 16/09/2022 12:08

I'm a GP and all of the doctors in my surgery were happy to work, but we felt it was unfair to make the admin staff work, especially those who would be struggling with child care. It's actually quite inconvenient for us, because we just had to find other slots for the booked patients, mostly in our own time.

Same here. And before we had even had guidance on closing, most of our staff said they wouldn't work even for double time because child care/watching the funeral/ ITS a bank holiday!!
Plus our cancellation line had half a dozen cancellation before we even opened.
I wonder how many of those who are up in arms /disgusted will be working??

memorial · 16/09/2022 13:48

1994girl · 16/09/2022 12:15

I find it disgusting that hospital appointments have been cancelled

Are you working all day??

memorial · 16/09/2022 13:49

Twilightstarbright · 16/09/2022 10:54

I don’t know what you want the people who work in GP surgeries to do if they have children in childcare which is closed?

It’s making an already tough job even more difficult but you can’t have a 3yo and a 5yo sit in the nurses room all day. Or even the waiting room.

Don't be silly. Doctors and nurses are not allowed to have lives or children and it's all their fault the NHS is failing.
They should just work more and more for less pay.

passport123 · 16/09/2022 14:21

I'm a GP, I can't work in a vacuum. I need receptionists, nurses, pharmacies open, transport to take specimens to hospital etc etc. And a large chunk of that isn't available on a BH, because people have to look after their kids with schools and nurseries shut.

modgepodge · 16/09/2022 14:45

It doesn’t really feel like a bank holiday to be honest. Nothing is open so you can’t go and do anything nice. I’ve got no real interest in watching the funeral nor will my 3 year old. Initially I was like ‘woo, day off’ but with nothing open it feels like lockdown all over again. I’m a teacher and to be honest I’d rather be in school, a day off so early in term is disruptive, and has a huge knock on impact on other services. Sure, GPs would always be closed on a bank holiday but the difference is those are usually planned in advance so no appointments would be scheduled which then need rearranging.

LoobyDop · 16/09/2022 14:55

They shouldn’t have allowed schools to close- it’s the knock-on effect of that that is forcing the NHS and many businesses to close because their staff have to take time off to look after their children. It’s ridiculous- schools could have just stuck all the kids in front of the tv to watch the funeral for a couple of hours, the teachers could have watched as well, and everyone else could have done the same.
As for whether or not it’s what HM would have wanted, I think I saw a statement from the King or Buckingham Palace saying no it isn’t, and they didn’t request it, but it’s a decision for the government.

TempName01 · 16/09/2022 15:01

I agree it is all because they are closing the schools etc, it should never have been a bank holiday and the knock on effect is causing a massive disruption to lots of services and those that do have to work have been dropped in it due to last minute childcare issues. It’s crazy. We all have the option to watch the funeral it just isn’t necessary to watch it live, what is wrong with watching it later. It will be repeated enough.

funtycucker · 16/09/2022 15:05

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 13:46

It’s inexcusable. Rather than shit schools completely why not have then open for children of key workers for the day like in lockdown?

Hospital appointments and operations are being cancelled, despite the NHS having huge backlogs, when will they be rescheduled for? The appointments are just likely already delayed (my recent appointment was rescheduled for a later date twice) and now people will face an even longer wait.

Because it is in the contracts of employment of teachers and other school staff that they get bank holidays off

happyfishcoco · 16/09/2022 15:15

I just realised many people are very selfish.

  1. this is not a holiday for you to go out to have fun.
It is to show respect to our queen.

that's why many places/attractions/stores are not open.

  1. If the school remains open just for the Keyworker, the teacher can't have a day off, and some may want to go to the church or grief at home for the queen.

everyone only cares for themselves.

this BH is not for you, it is for the queen.

just one day to take care of your children at home for the queen, what's the big deal?

Groovee · 16/09/2022 15:15

Ours was closed anyway as it is a local holiday on Monday.

MrsEricBana · 16/09/2022 15:22

I too don't think schools, GPs, hospitals should be shut. I was very surprised (and pleased) earlier to get a dental appointment long booked for Monday confirmed.

Toddlerteaplease · 16/09/2022 15:24

I think it's appalling that funerals are being cancelled. And I was hoping we wouldn't cancel our elective surgery. But we baby safely do it. So have had too.

Toddlerteaplease · 16/09/2022 15:24

Can't

Supersimkin2 · 16/09/2022 15:29

It’s not like anyone died cos of lack of access to healthcare during Covid, is it.

Or that the Covid backlog is huge so GPs are demanding a pay rise. That hasn’t happened, oh no.

Or that GPs are moaning they’re too busy and that’s why their services are bad - never heard that, have you.

aftonwater · 16/09/2022 15:29

I'm a Practice Manager, 7 out of 9 of our doctors have school age children (and 5 of those 7 are also married to doctors). The majority of our reception and admin team also have school age children. The logistics in cancelling and re-booking all our appointments has been a nightmare this week.

Artistique · 16/09/2022 15:30

I think places closing the entire day is unnecessary, especially supermarkets. The day before is a Sunday too so what if you can't make it to the supermarket in the days before? What if you don't get paid until after that Monday?
I can understand places having bank holiday opening hours, but closing all day like Xmas day is just too far.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 16/09/2022 15:30

Gosh, what next?

I hope our house doesn't catch fire on Monday, it would be a bit of a nuisance to have to wait until Tuesday for the Fire Brigade to turn up. ♨️

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 15:33

funtycucker · 16/09/2022 15:05

Because it is in the contracts of employment of teachers and other school staff that they get bank holidays off

Show quote history

Yes, I think we all understand that but in my opinion it should be a bank holiday, schools shouldn’t be closed causing this massive issue.

All the people who think it’s absolutely fine to delay peoples medical care probably aren’t the ones who were due to have an operation or important appointment on Monday.

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 15:34

Shouldn’t*

Wardrobemalfunction22 · 16/09/2022 15:35

Our local flu clinic booked for Monday has had to be rescheduled, hundreds of appointment letters resent and hundreds of people calling to check if their appointment is going ahead or not. Its been a huge pain and of course all the people due to be vaccinated (vulnerable elderly and under 5s) will be unprotected until their rescheduled appt comes

ProfessorLayton1 · 16/09/2022 15:35

I work in hospital, some of the junior doctors are willing to come and work but they are told that they won't be paid or have time back in lieu as it is bank holiday.

Stompythedinosaur · 16/09/2022 15:38

happyfishcoco · 16/09/2022 15:15

I just realised many people are very selfish.

  1. this is not a holiday for you to go out to have fun.
It is to show respect to our queen.

that's why many places/attractions/stores are not open.

  1. If the school remains open just for the Keyworker, the teacher can't have a day off, and some may want to go to the church or grief at home for the queen.

everyone only cares for themselves.

this BH is not for you, it is for the queen.

just one day to take care of your children at home for the queen, what's the big deal?

I'm fairly sure that it makes no difference to the queen how people spend their bank holiday.

Fine for people to grieve, but the whole idea of forcing people into demonstrative grief is uncomfortable to me.

Stompythedinosaur · 16/09/2022 15:39

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 15:33

Yes, I think we all understand that but in my opinion it should be a bank holiday, schools shouldn’t be closed causing this massive issue.

All the people who think it’s absolutely fine to delay peoples medical care probably aren’t the ones who were due to have an operation or important appointment on Monday.

Show quote history

I think there's an arguement for not having a bank holiday.

I think the idea of a national holiday where healthcare workers are expected to work for free is not reasonable.

funtycucker · 16/09/2022 15:40

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 15:33

Yes, I think we all understand that but in my opinion it should be a bank holiday, schools shouldn’t be closed causing this massive issue.

All the people who think it’s absolutely fine to delay peoples medical care probably aren’t the ones who were due to have an operation or important appointment on Monday.

Show quote history

Did I say it was fine to delay appointments? No I didn't! You can't expect people to work on a day their contract states they should get off though. Schools aren't like other businesses who will give you that day back at a later date of your choice or pay you for it instead if you work it

Thesearmsofmine · 16/09/2022 15:42

Stompythedinosaur · 16/09/2022 15:39

I think there's an arguement for not having a bank holiday.

I think the idea of a national holiday where healthcare workers are expected to work for free is not reasonable.

Show quote history

Exactly what I’m saying. It should never have been a bank holiday.