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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed at the GP receptionist for being arsey about this?

266 replies

SneakyGremlin · 09/03/2026 16:30

Had a GP phone appointment booked for 13:10 today, for something that needs sorting today (think medication review/replacement). Took my break at work from 13:00-13:30. 13:35 came, still no call, so I went back to work.

Finished work at 4:00 p.m, checked my phone and saw a missed call at 13:41 - so I rang back asking could I possibly get the GP to call me now as I'm not longer in work.

GP receptionist huffs, says she'll try but I should have kept an eye on my phone as they can't always help when it's the patients who missed the appointments. When I then point out to her that actually they rang half an hour after my scheduled appointment, which is why I missed it, she said that that shouldn't be relevant and I should always be by the phone because it's known that GPs run late sometimes.

AIBU to want to complain, or at least mention to the GP who I'm still waiting to call that some of us can't stop doing our jobs and wait for a call just because THEY are running late? If they'd sent a text or something that they were running behind I could have taken my break later and probably kept the appointment.

It feels like I'm being told off like a naughty child because THEY were late.

OP posts:
Iocanepowder · 09/03/2026 20:30

GlasgowGal2014 · 09/03/2026 20:26

I've had similar issues with my GP practice and they seem to behave like patients have nothing else to do but sit around a wait for them. For a while there was only a GP in my practice on a Wednesday, and that's my office day. I had a call booked for 3pm, arranged to drive home at lunchtime so I could talk about the personal issue in private and they called me at about 1pm whilst I was driving on the motorway so I missed it. I called back when I got home, and they did manage to arrange for the GP to call back, but the receptionist made out like they were doing me a huge favour. I've had issues on other occassions where they've called at completely the wrong time again. I now insist on an in-person appointment, because the timing of the phone appointments is so unpredictable and I can't block out my whole day to be ready to pick up the phone whenever is convenient to them each time I need to speak to my GP.

I think what you’re saying is very reasonable.

Mama2many73 · 09/03/2026 20:31

AmusedMember · 09/03/2026 17:05

So you have your phone on you to check messages? But not to see phone calls?

Surely work places understand the need to answer call for a doctor - it's not like you'd be gossiping away with a friend. Especially if you haven't had the| call during your break and was still expecting it.

From my GP I get a we will aim to call you between 8am - 1pm.

Was not allowed my phone at work unless on a break.

BatchCookBabe · 09/03/2026 20:32

JenniferBooth · 09/03/2026 17:27

The NHS and housing associations really do have a lot in common

Oh defo!!!

Housing Associations and social housing landlords in general will just dish out appointments to tenants, and never check to see if it's convenient!!! Electrical checks that take 3 hours, gas safety checks that take an hour, remedial work that's done every 5 years (like outdoor painting and maintenance,) that can take several days, and 5 year general maintenance check-ups, that can take 2 hours.

My friend had a letter with an appointment for the 'Housing Inspector' to come and do a 5-year maintenance check up, and it was 10th May. (It was gonna last 2 hours.) The Wednesday of the following week. The letter said to ring and re-arrange if it was not convenient.

She rang them and said she is at work and she and will have to re-arrange it. She said 'I am off for 3 days the week after next, so they can come then.' (Would have been about 17-19 May.) The woman said 'oh no sorry, Jeff our Inspector only does your area on the second week of each month, so he won't be able to come back til week commencing 8th June.'

So my friend said 'well we will arrange a date for that week then. Give me a date and I will book off the morning... I will struggle to book off next Wednesday morning though... Bit short notice... and I have a meeting' The woman said 'oh no sorry, Jeff doesn't send his appoinments out til 1-2 weeks before, so for the second week in June, the letters will come out around 30th May. We will send you a date for the second week in June then, but we can't guarantee the date.' My friend said 'but there's no guarantee I won't be at work again!' The woman said 'well we can just send another date for July, and if that's no good just keep going til we catch you in.' Confused

My friend said 'ya know what, sod it, just leave it, I will book the morning off on 10th May!' They made it so hard for her to re-arrange it, and she knows if she had let it go on and on, they would have accused her of contravening the terms of her tenancy by 'not letting them in...' and probably put her on some kind of warning... 🙄 So she had to use holiday leave, and re-arrange a meeting.

Same happened to someone I know with her gas safety check. They kept sending out letters with dates on for her to have her yearly safety check, and just assumed that she would be in. She is a really busy, frazzled working single mum, and she missed them 3 times, and they send her a letter threatening to end her tenancy and evict her!

Honestly, they assume everyone in social housing doesn't work!!! Not only that, but they assume that everyone has fuck-all to do except sit in and wait for them! It's so stupid. And as has been said, some people actually cannot take calls randomly at any time of the day, and have to do it on their break or lunchtime. Not everyone is allowed to take calls in works time!

And the NHS just sending out random appointments to people without checking first if it's OK is just as stupid. People can easily miss the letters and then get taken off 'the list.' (And there is the assumption that people can just sit by the phone all day until they can be bothered to phone!!!)

And as has been said, it makes you wonder how many 'did not attends' and 'missed appointments' actually WERE what they said, or were they cases of them sending random appointments out assuming people can make it, (and people not getting the letters, or not being able to make it,) or 2pm phone appointments that actually ended up being at 3.30pm resulting in the person being unable to take the call/missing it?!

I remember a time (some 10 years ago) when they would send letters out to people with a username and a code to get into an appointments page online, and you could select an appointment. WTF happened to this system?!

Soontobesingles · 09/03/2026 20:32

This has happened to me before. I think you'll be howling into the wind to complain. They surely know we can't take the day off work to wait for an appointment, but they don't care.

Pumpkinmagic · 09/03/2026 20:34

I agreed with the G.P receptionist just last week for a call from a clinical pharmacist, I asked they call on my day off. I then get a text saying an appointment has been scheduled for a day I’m working at 9:45. I arranged with my line manager to take a break at 9.40 to take the call. The G.P surgery then called at 09:25. It’s such a stupid system. My own company has a decent system for call backs at specific times. Why G.Ps surgeries cannot have the same I don’t know.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/03/2026 20:35

QuinqueremeofNiveneh · 09/03/2026 20:24

Oh yes, this thread is positively brimming with respect for healthcare professionals!

Why on earth should anyone respect healthcare professionals who waste the patients' time.

I appreciate that at my practice a telephone consultation is between 10.30 and 2pm. I can't clear my diary for 3.5 hours. It's easier for me to clear my diary for an hour, drive to GP, wait and return. If they offered an hour slot for a phone call, I could do that.

It's only happened once but when I arrived, the first thing the Dr said was "we could have done this over the phone". I was not persuaded they actually took on board why we could not.

Tuesdayschild50 · 09/03/2026 20:37

Yes I'd tell them that there system does not work for people who are in work themselves.
We haven't all got time to sit waiting and watching our phones for a call.
I'd tell the receptionist she was out of order aswell .. cheeky cow.

QuinqueremeofNiveneh · 09/03/2026 20:37

RosesAndHellebores · 09/03/2026 20:35

Why on earth should anyone respect healthcare professionals who waste the patients' time.

I appreciate that at my practice a telephone consultation is between 10.30 and 2pm. I can't clear my diary for 3.5 hours. It's easier for me to clear my diary for an hour, drive to GP, wait and return. If they offered an hour slot for a phone call, I could do that.

It's only happened once but when I arrived, the first thing the Dr said was "we could have done this over the phone". I was not persuaded they actually took on board why we could not.

Because they are highly trained experts who provide an essential public service that you cannot live without?

Jenkibuble · 09/03/2026 20:37

SneakyGremlin · 09/03/2026 16:30

Had a GP phone appointment booked for 13:10 today, for something that needs sorting today (think medication review/replacement). Took my break at work from 13:00-13:30. 13:35 came, still no call, so I went back to work.

Finished work at 4:00 p.m, checked my phone and saw a missed call at 13:41 - so I rang back asking could I possibly get the GP to call me now as I'm not longer in work.

GP receptionist huffs, says she'll try but I should have kept an eye on my phone as they can't always help when it's the patients who missed the appointments. When I then point out to her that actually they rang half an hour after my scheduled appointment, which is why I missed it, she said that that shouldn't be relevant and I should always be by the phone because it's known that GPs run late sometimes.

AIBU to want to complain, or at least mention to the GP who I'm still waiting to call that some of us can't stop doing our jobs and wait for a call just because THEY are running late? If they'd sent a text or something that they were running behind I could have taken my break later and probably kept the appointment.

It feels like I'm being told off like a naughty child because THEY were late.

Mine (GP) NEVER stick to the time they say .
Fortunately I CAN take calls at work , though when I have worked with kids we can not have phones out (safeguarding )

Feedback might help but mine dont apologise when they miss the given time slot :(
It is frustrating I know.
If it IS a reviewt prescription, can you put a message on the E consult thing (if you use at your surgery) and explain you are OUT and can they honour one month worth until the review has been done.
I have phoned 111 before and they can get myh notes up and dispense an emergency supply BUT not a months worth so it is an expensive way of doing it.

I feel your annoyance !

catipuss · 09/03/2026 20:38

Physical appointments were also very often really late, at least with a phone appointment you're not sitting in the doctor's office for hours. Couldn't you just listen for calls even if you are working?

RosesAndHellebores · 09/03/2026 20:42

QuinqueremeofNiveneh · 09/03/2026 20:37

Because they are highly trained experts who provide an essential public service that you cannot live without?

Indeed they are. As is my DH - when he was a barrister he would not have dared be late for court.

I can happily live without my NHS GP. I'd be even happier if I got tax relief for not doing so.

JenniferBooth · 09/03/2026 20:48

BatchCookBabe · 09/03/2026 20:32

Oh defo!!!

Housing Associations and social housing landlords in general will just dish out appointments to tenants, and never check to see if it's convenient!!! Electrical checks that take 3 hours, gas safety checks that take an hour, remedial work that's done every 5 years (like outdoor painting and maintenance,) that can take several days, and 5 year general maintenance check-ups, that can take 2 hours.

My friend had a letter with an appointment for the 'Housing Inspector' to come and do a 5-year maintenance check up, and it was 10th May. (It was gonna last 2 hours.) The Wednesday of the following week. The letter said to ring and re-arrange if it was not convenient.

She rang them and said she is at work and she and will have to re-arrange it. She said 'I am off for 3 days the week after next, so they can come then.' (Would have been about 17-19 May.) The woman said 'oh no sorry, Jeff our Inspector only does your area on the second week of each month, so he won't be able to come back til week commencing 8th June.'

So my friend said 'well we will arrange a date for that week then. Give me a date and I will book off the morning... I will struggle to book off next Wednesday morning though... Bit short notice... and I have a meeting' The woman said 'oh no sorry, Jeff doesn't send his appoinments out til 1-2 weeks before, so for the second week in June, the letters will come out around 30th May. We will send you a date for the second week in June then, but we can't guarantee the date.' My friend said 'but there's no guarantee I won't be at work again!' The woman said 'well we can just send another date for July, and if that's no good just keep going til we catch you in.' Confused

My friend said 'ya know what, sod it, just leave it, I will book the morning off on 10th May!' They made it so hard for her to re-arrange it, and she knows if she had let it go on and on, they would have accused her of contravening the terms of her tenancy by 'not letting them in...' and probably put her on some kind of warning... 🙄 So she had to use holiday leave, and re-arrange a meeting.

Same happened to someone I know with her gas safety check. They kept sending out letters with dates on for her to have her yearly safety check, and just assumed that she would be in. She is a really busy, frazzled working single mum, and she missed them 3 times, and they send her a letter threatening to end her tenancy and evict her!

Honestly, they assume everyone in social housing doesn't work!!! Not only that, but they assume that everyone has fuck-all to do except sit in and wait for them! It's so stupid. And as has been said, some people actually cannot take calls randomly at any time of the day, and have to do it on their break or lunchtime. Not everyone is allowed to take calls in works time!

And the NHS just sending out random appointments to people without checking first if it's OK is just as stupid. People can easily miss the letters and then get taken off 'the list.' (And there is the assumption that people can just sit by the phone all day until they can be bothered to phone!!!)

And as has been said, it makes you wonder how many 'did not attends' and 'missed appointments' actually WERE what they said, or were they cases of them sending random appointments out assuming people can make it, (and people not getting the letters, or not being able to make it,) or 2pm phone appointments that actually ended up being at 3.30pm resulting in the person being unable to take the call/missing it?!

I remember a time (some 10 years ago) when they would send letters out to people with a username and a code to get into an appointments page online, and you could select an appointment. WTF happened to this system?!

Edited

You might be interested in a book called Middle Ground by Joe Carpenter. Its written by a social housing contractor.

https://hqnetwork.co.uk/news/book-review-middle-ground-a-frontline-journey-in-social-housing/

BatchCookBabe · 09/03/2026 20:51

catipuss · 09/03/2026 20:38

Physical appointments were also very often really late, at least with a phone appointment you're not sitting in the doctor's office for hours. Couldn't you just listen for calls even if you are working?

No, not every workplace allows this. Also, physical appointments are never as late as some phone appointments are. AND you can't miss a physical one as you are actually there in the surgery. As a pp said, you will likely not be in the surgery for more than 40 minutes in total. Whereas you can wait around for hours for a phone call. And it's very easy to miss!

Jk987 · 09/03/2026 20:53

What sort of job do you do where your management don’t allow you to take a call from the doctors unless it’s your break?

I can think of a few such as driving jobs etc but I’m curious.

Gall10 · 09/03/2026 20:53

EvelynBeatrice · 09/03/2026 16:46

My SIL had similar. Receptionist went quiet when SIL pointed out politely that she too was a doctor and had surgery scheduled on a patient!

So your SIL obviously knows that medical appointments/surgety/consultations don’t always go to plan! Or is she that rare species whose workload goes completely on schedule by the minute? Lucky her!

SpringsOnTheWay · 09/03/2026 20:53

I’ve had similar as well, I did complain and actually left the practice after they didn’t even bother to reply to the complaint - there was a little bit more to mine then just missing the late phone call.

what makes it worse is when you want to talk about something personal, so you find somewhere quiet rather than an office full of people.

SpringsOnTheWay · 09/03/2026 20:54

Jk987 · 09/03/2026 20:53

What sort of job do you do where your management don’t allow you to take a call from the doctors unless it’s your break?

I can think of a few such as driving jobs etc but I’m curious.

childcare settings don’t allow you to have your phones.

SneakyGremlin · 09/03/2026 20:55

catipuss · 09/03/2026 20:38

Physical appointments were also very often really late, at least with a phone appointment you're not sitting in the doctor's office for hours. Couldn't you just listen for calls even if you are working?

Phones are left several doors away from the front, I'd never hear it unfortunately - and if they rang when I was busy I'd still miss it.

OP posts:
GlasgowGal2014 · 09/03/2026 20:56

Iocanepowder · 09/03/2026 20:30

I think what you’re saying is very reasonable.

I see what you mean in that I got to speak to the GP and if this was a one-off I'm sure it would have been fine, but I've got a chronic health condition and at that point I was suffering awful symptoms, trying to hold down a job, muster enough energy to be there for my kids and chase my GP to make sure we got to the bottom of what was going on. I was also having to advocate quite hard for myself so having my notes handy was important. The receptionist was not happy about me having missed the call despite it being hours before the allotted time, and I had to really talk her into asking the GP if they could call me back. Having to keep big blocks of my day meeting free and/or drive an hour home to make sure I had the privacy to take the call was really stressful. I find it much less stressful to just go in and sit in the waiting room in the surgery for an appointment, and I've never had to wait more than 30 minutes over my allocated time, which is why I always now refuse phone appointments.

SneakyGremlin · 09/03/2026 20:56

Jk987 · 09/03/2026 20:53

What sort of job do you do where your management don’t allow you to take a call from the doctors unless it’s your break?

I can think of a few such as driving jobs etc but I’m curious.

Hotel receptionist. Phones kept in staff room in lockers.

OP posts:
Lifeomars · 09/03/2026 20:56

The practice I am with does not give you a time, just says that the call will be in the afternoon, so I sit with my phone close to me not daring to make a drink, go to the loo or do anything. I was down for a call as my prescription had been increased without anyone contacting me either by phone or text and the dispensary told me not to take it until I had queried it. Turned out it was an error so just as well I queried it . I have only recently had to have contact the the NHS after about 7 years of good health and I have really noticed a change for the worse. My surgery does not even do blood tests anymore, you have to book in a centre in town, takes ages to make the booking and then you have to travel to the city centre which takes about 40 mins all for a 4 minute procedure. My surgery is a ten minute walk away!

BatchCookBabe · 09/03/2026 20:56

JenniferBooth · 09/03/2026 20:48

You might be interested in a book called Middle Ground by Joe Carpenter. Its written by a social housing contractor.

https://hqnetwork.co.uk/news/book-review-middle-ground-a-frontline-journey-in-social-housing/

That's looks interesting, thanks @JenniferBooth !

FryingPam · 09/03/2026 20:57

Telephone appointments are a pita. My GP doesn’t give you a time either, the most you get is ‘morning’ or ‘afternoon’. My flat has terrible reception, I need to place my phone somewhere near the window, turn the volume up and be super quiet while cooking/toilet/doing whatever needs doing always with one ear focused on whether the phone rings. I still keep missing appointments.

Forestgreenblue · 09/03/2026 20:58

Could be worse OP! I once had a post cancer check up phone call scheduled with my surgeon. He NEVER called. No missed calls whatsoever.

And then - lo and behold - I received a letter through the post to the GP with me copied in stating that he had called but I hadn’t answered. I was so annoyed!!

Im guessing he may have called an incorrect number but it was what it was - no harm done in my case

SneakyGremlin · 09/03/2026 21:01

Forestgreenblue · 09/03/2026 20:58

Could be worse OP! I once had a post cancer check up phone call scheduled with my surgeon. He NEVER called. No missed calls whatsoever.

And then - lo and behold - I received a letter through the post to the GP with me copied in stating that he had called but I hadn’t answered. I was so annoyed!!

Im guessing he may have called an incorrect number but it was what it was - no harm done in my case

I think I'd explode if that happened to me.

OP posts:
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