Time off work for hospital appointments?

[cacaboo]

Does anyone know what the legal position is about hospital appointments (particularly your own ones, but also a childs) and time off work? One doctor told me that employers have to give you time off to attend them, but I can't find any reference to that on the DTI website. Is any time off expected to be taken as paid / as vacation / unpaid?

I have never had any problems having time off for dr or dentist appointments (though this was pre-children, so only for myself). The only exception was when I was working as a temp, when the time I was out of the office had to be logged and was unpaid. Otherwise it has never been an issue - not taken as holiday or sickleave, but as part of my working, paid, day.

I take time off paid for mine, as holiday for the kids. As far as possible try to ensure they are on days when I am not working but can't always.

There is no statutory right to paid time off to see Dr or dentist. Unless you are pg. Your employer is entitled to make you use annual leave.

There is a statutory right to (unpaid)time off for family emergencies, to sort out emergency domestic situations so I would say taking an hour off to take a child to see a doctor would come under this.