To expect the Doctors to be taking calls at lunchtime

[OwwwMuuuum]

It’s my lunch break. I called the doctor for blood test results.

First, a message stating “due to staff sickness” they are not staffing the phones over lunch break (unless it’s an emergency). Variations of this excuse have been peddled since the start of the winter.

Second, a long message about respecting phone appointments and the decisions of advanced nurse practitioners etc etc.

The phone to reception then just rang out, there is no other way of retrieving my blood results and I can’t call back when I’m working.

YABU - busy doctors Surgeries shouldn’t have to plan their staff rotas to cover lunch breaks, when most patients are trying to contact them.
YANBU - patients should be able to reach their doctors surgery over lunch times.

YANBU OP. They should be making sure someone is always available to be on the phones. If the receptionist is on a 12-12.30pm lunch break then someone can cover for that half hours. If there's two receptionists then one goes 12-12.30pm and the other goes 12.30-1pm.

As usual practice you’d hope they had someone covering at different times, so the receptionists would take separate lunch breaks. Because of course most people will want to phone when they’re on lunch. But if there’s sickness it probably can’t be helped.

But presumably the receptionists won't be on lunch at 10, so it's not an issue?

Could you stagger your lunch break with your colleagues so you can call outside the normal lunch time slot?

yabu. So none can have lunch because you are at lunch?

at my surgery they only give results between 2 and 4 pm

however download the nhs app. Once the bloods are in and looked at they will be available for you to see

thats what I do, no calls at all if they are clear , and you get a call if something is wrong.

This really. They should be able to close for lunch.

FFS people should rotate at lunch time and take different breaks just like in so many work places.

I never get a bloody lunch break so chance would be a fine thing but I do expect services to have lunch cover.

Which bit of "due to staff sickness" did you not understand? Yes, it's frustrating it wasn't manned, but it doesn't sound like the norm.

Can you not use the toilet as an excuse in work and make a quick call?

My GP surgery closes for an hour at lunch. I have never questioned this.

My GP is closed over lunchtime. Great for the staff, rubbish for the patients.

@WeWereInParis well if they have to fit everyone's lunch in at staggered times there will always be someone on early lunch. Ok maybe 10 is unusually very early but if lunches start at 11 then there will be less staff to answer phones and deal with patients who are actually in the surgery - phones will take longer to get answered, people in the waiting room getting irate because they have to wait.
It's most likely just easier to shut everything for a hour. If everyone is on lunch at the same time then there will never be a time the reception desk is understaffed.

if you are in the uk you can probably sign up to the scheme that lets you view test results etc on line.

you also need to define lunch time. Some people I know have their midday break from 12.00 to 1.00, others 1.30 to 2.30, others 11.45 to 12.45. Etc etc So you could be on your break and someone else back to the grindstone……..

At the very least they could have their lunch break at a non-standard time, or stagger them.

Who is more likely to be in a job where they can only call at certain times of day such as their lunch break. Let's guess- women, people from certain ethnic minorities, those with certain disabilities who need someone to help when using a phone.

To be honest I actually do think GP surgeries should be open 7 days a week. Everyone (should) get at least one day off work a week. Ring on your day off.

We're told to call after 2pm at my Drs for test results

@OwwwMuuuum are you not entitled to tea breaks.
My old job was 1 hour (unpaid) lunch hour and 2 x 15 minute (paid) tea breaks. As they were paid you couldn't leave the building but you could make phone calls.

I can see blood test results on the NHS App, no need to ring.

They can only stagger lunch breaks if there's more than one receptionist, though.

Many GP's are running on skeleton staff - including one receptionist for the whole day.

Our GP surgery has closed from 1pm - 2pm for years.

We have to ring for results only after 2pm

It doesn't sound like this is their standard working practice, they have stated 'due to staff sickness'. They are likely prioritising early morning calls for same day appointments. I doubt you 'need' your results now.
This might be the time to look into your surgeries on line services. Many allow results to be accessed, repeat prescriptions ordered etc all on line.

In all my years working in offices I have never worked in one where the phones are not covered over lunch times. I don’t think it’s unreasonable or that hard to have lunch breaks staggered so there is always someone or 2 people to answer the phones.

Download the NHS App
you will be able to see all your blood test results, recent consultations, order repeat prescriptions and see your past medical history.

At our doctor's surgery the GP is out doing home visits at lunchtime. There used to be 3 GPs now there's only one and a practice nurse most days.
The receptionists do answer the phone at lunchtime though, we always joke that there's more of them than there are doctor's!