WAMT....what annoyed me today!

Tigger.ufo said:
... If that someone had bothered to actually speak to me I have no doubt that the doctor would have seen my finger yesterday morning but instead another member of staff was told to switch me to the nurse in the afternoon.
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This is just one more example of the split personality imposed on the NHS in 1948, which has come back to haunt us, with the enthusiastic assistance of Thatcher, Johnson and the rest of those good people on the far right.

Because a number of medical staff, such as GPs, were designated as contractors to the NHS, rather than employees, primary care has always been a vulnerable service. As those wonderful people in the conservative party have always believed that, if you can't afford to pay for using primary care, you should go home and suffer in silence, the service has lost many of the doctors who used to do this work.

This has put an increased load on the support staff, who are left to juggle the needs of "customers" (previously called patients) with insufficient training and other resources. It's hardly to be wondered that the result is chaotic. What is surprising is that, despite this, the system still works as well as it does.
 
Earley Man said:
Transfer her, and your, account to Nationwide.Its a mutual so no shareholders to grab the profits; they're not closing any branches and this past year they gave each of the members £100 as a profit share.
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Not that was to all members(?) I don't recall seeing such largesse but have a vague recall of when I got my account that there was a cutoff date for such payments i.e. members prior to my account date would get it???
 
WAMT. Trying to order a black friday offer and actually find someone who actually has the item they are offering in stock. They all say in stock and 5 days delivery. When you ask for a delivery date they all say. Ahhh it's not coming from us so we dont know. So it's not in stock then is it.
 
Pixbarmy said:
Took mum to the bank to try get her more interest on her savings account. They can't do it in the branch any more, you have to phone!!!! She's 98, going blind, wears hearing aids and has difficulty having a phone conversation. She had to build herself up to going to town in the first place! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! Bankers? W******! Talk about taking advantage of the elderly. Her account pays peanuts in interest. "Go online, you can do it there!" :rolleyes: :headbang:
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Probably too late for you and your mum but it demonstrates the advantage of a Power of Attorney.
 
Earley Man said:
Transfer her, and your, account to Nationwide.Its a mutual so no shareholders to grab the profits; they're not closing any branches and this past year they gave each of the members £100 as a profit share.
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Done just that after enduring Virgin since they took over/ merged with Clydesdale. They changed many of the ways they worked, in their words to improve the customer experience, really, everything they did made it more and more awkward for the customer, the final straw was when the decided that you had to have a certain version of operating system on your phone to access their apps. The switch was easy I did mine online and SWMBO did her's in person in the branch (she doesn't do online or internet banking) both moved over on the day selected and although we were both told it could take up to the end of the day both were up and running by midday, in fact the only problem was Virgin, I used the The Current Account Switch Service and thought I would just transfer the money in my savings account when my current account switch was done OH NO not that easy I could only transfer my money to a Virgin account or pay £25 for them to do a CHAP's transfer to my new Nationwide account, lets just say my money was transferred and I didn't pay for it, and as a little bonus Nationwide gave me £200 for 5 minutes on the laptop.

Pixbarmy said:
Nationwide?? Not so good according tothese:-
uk.trustpilot.com

Nationwide is rated "Poor" with 2 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Nationwide's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 7,994 customers have already said.
uk.trustpilot.com uk.trustpilot.com
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For a traditional bank/building society that's a pretty high score. Now while many like the format of the newer online banks many older people and others still like ease of the more traditional banks with branches.
 
Wamt, wife is off work ill and watching daytime TV which is fair enough but she then keeps trying to talk to me about whatever they are waffling on about....
 
tarric said:
For a traditional bank/building society that's a pretty high score. Now while many like the format of the newer online banks many older people and others still like ease of the more traditional banks with branches.
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Never understood the fascinations some have with branches.

Been with Starling a couple of years now and love it. Everything is so easy on the app, can do everything and even if your not tech savvy cant see much that can go wrong.

I mean, who needs to pay in cheques and even if you do I can use the PO for that, or post it, or if under 1k, take a pic and upload it via the app!! Rare for people to need cash (you can get £250 a day from cash machine).

I even did my divorce and re-mortgage online without having to visit anyone.
 
WAMT Somebody insisting on RMSD and not being in to sign for it despite being told in advance!:headbang:
 
cambsno said:
Never understood the fascinations some have with branches.

Been with Starling a couple of years now and love it. Everything is so easy on the app, can do everything and even if your not tech savvy cant see much that can go wrong.

I mean, who needs to pay in cheques and even if you do I can use the PO for that, or post it, or if under 1k, take a pic and upload it via the app!! Rare for people to need cash (you can get £250 a day from cash machine).

I even did my divorce and re-mortgage online without having to visit anyone.
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Horses for courses, what suits some doesn't suit others.
Take my experience with my old bank now while I admit my mobile is not the newest, it's does everything I need, well it did up until they decided to update their app and it no longer worked on my phone which limited what I could do through internet banking and limited the amount of my money I could spend or transfer unless I purchased a new phone and I'm sorry but I'm not having a bank or anyone else dictate where and how I spend my money. Well except Mrs t of course.
 
Ebay buyers who want to make an offer to end it early. Nooooooooooooooooo! It's an auction. Make a bid or use the buy it now and pay the price! :rolleyes:
 
We got a christmas card from my wife's friend today and my wife put it on the fireplace mantlepiece..no doubt to be joined by others as time goes on. I don't care too much for Christmas cards..never send them,never get any, never read them. The neighbours send them despite me trying to negotiate a truce a few years ago. Any with a religious theme go directly into the bin. They are the exception, though. We've agreed, after some negotiation, to put the Christmas tree up earlier this year . I usually get it out of the attic on the 23rd but liking a quiet life, we've settled for the 18th. A recent poll found that 7% of people put their tree up in November and 33% this weekend..ie the first weekend in December. They shoud have been asked how long they stay up. Ours comes down on January 1st...and that's too long for me. Some houses in the area have outside Christmas lights up already. Some,irritangly, flashing. No darned,grinning, lit- up Father Christmas's on display...yet.

So... It's way too early to have Christmas cards on display so I took it off the mantlepiece and put it face down on top of the piano.

Does anyone know how to cook "Almond dukkah Chicken bake with amaranth and 'erbs...? :D
 
JohnC6 said:
We got a christmas card from my wife's friend today and my wife put it on the fireplace mantlepiece..no doubt to be joined by others as time goes on. I don't care too much for Christmas cards..never send them,never get any, never read them. The neighbours send them despite me trying to negotiate a truce a few years ago. Any with a religious theme go directly into the bin. They are the exception, though. We've agreed, after some negotiation, to put the Christmas tree up earlier this year . I usually get it out of the attic on the 23rd but liking a quiet life, we've settled for the 18th. A recent poll found that 7% of people put their tree up in November and 33% this weekend..ie the first weekend in December. They shoud have been asked how long they stay up. Ours comes down on January 1st...and that's too long for me. Some houses in the area have outside Christmas lights up already. Some,irritangly, flashing. No darned,grinning, lit- up Father Christmas's on display...yet.

So... It's way too early to have Christmas cards on display so I took it off the mantlepiece and put it face down on top of the piano.

Does anyone know how to cook "Almond dukkah Chicken bake with amaranth and 'erbs...? :D
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Yes, but google is your friend.

I have used this recipe

www.delicious.com.au/recipes/almond-dukkah-chicken-bake-amaranth-herbs/1tz9q4w6

but personally I prefer it served with aubergine hummus, roasted red peppers, olives and a good flat bread.
 
Just brought a Laptop with Windows on it will not allow me to boot from USB and install Linux the BIOS is locked to Windows on the Hard drive and will not let me in Windows without creating an account ( which I'm not going to do. It has to go back. Mean while my old battered 15 year old Laptop will allow this from the start !
 
BADGER.BRAD said:
Just brought a Laptop with Windows on it will not allow me to boot from USB and install Linux the BIOS is locked to Windows on the Hard drive and will not let me in Windows without creating an account ( which I'm not going to do. It has to go back. Mean while my old battered 15 year old Laptop will allow this from the start !
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Have you not got a "boot from legacy " option in the bios?
 
BADGER.BRAD said:
Just brought a Laptop with Windows on it will not allow me to boot from USB and install Linux the BIOS is locked to Windows on the Hard drive and will not let me in Windows without creating an account ( which I'm not going to do. It has to go back. Mean while my old battered 15 year old Laptop will allow this from the start !
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There are ways to prevent the requirement for a Microsoft account - have a quick Google. It worked on my Lenovo bought this year.
 
BADGER.BRAD said:
Just brought a Laptop with Windows on it will not allow me to boot from USB and install Linux the BIOS is locked to Windows on the Hard drive and will not let me in Windows without creating an account ( which I'm not going to do. It has to go back. Mean while my old battered 15 year old Laptop will allow this from the start !
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It will likely be the secure boot in the BIOS blocking it and this being turned on is mandatory for pcs sold with Windows 11 installed, but it can be turned off:

www.howtogeek.com

How to Boot and Install Linux on a UEFI PC With Secure Boot

New Windows PCs come with UEFI firmware and Secure Boot enabled.
www.howtogeek.com www.howtogeek.com
 
Cockney said:
Have you not got a "boot from legacy " option in the bios ?
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The only option is the Hard drive with Windows installed but it does look as if it is secure boot which is causing it ( I'd never heard of this) I'm not sure how this makes it secure though as anyone can alter this by pressing f2 or repeatedly pressing esc on boot up ?
 
BADGER.BRAD said:
The only option is the Hard drive with Windows installed but it does look as if it is secure boot which is causing it ( I'd never heard of this) I'm not sure how this makes it secure though as anyone can alter this by pressing f2 or repeatedly pressing esc on boot up ?
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It cannot be done remotely over the internet, which is how almost all hacking/viruses work these days (stolen devices excepted).
 
I don't profess to being any expert but in 23 years of using Linux without any antivirus software on old machinery I've never had a problem. That said I had no idea that the BIOS could be hacked remotely !
 
I have been having a problem with access to one website where I forgot my password > go the new temp password > went through the set new password step > got 403 Error page

Both phone and email comms with the organisation appeared to be going OK to resolve it.......to then get an email telling me the website is fine but the issue is with web server and that I need to make changes (to the web server?) to correct the 403 Error.

That last reply added a link to an external tech blog page with a video and text instructions as to how to do it including making changes to the htaccess file.................it is their web server, I am a customer.......... :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

I have replied pointing the above out asking just what & why have he/they passed the problem back to me...................and requesting that he/they escalate the matter! Not that the escalation should have been done by now!
 
Pixbarmy said:
Took mum to the bank to try get her more interest on her savings account. They can't do it in the branch any more, you have to phone!!!! She's 98, going blind, wears hearing aids and has difficulty having a phone conversation. She had to build herself up to going to town in the first place! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! Bankers? W******! Talk about taking advantage of the elderly. Her account pays peanuts in interest. "Go online, you can do it there!" :rolleyes: :headbang:
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After ringing and complaining, we had an appointment with a lovely young lady who was patient, kind and caring, explaining everything in detail and sorted everything out. I suggested that she should be "in branch" permanently but she pointed out that it wasn't her decision and that she "floated" between branches. (Well, we are in the Norfolk Broads area!).
 
I did my mams banking online. We reviewed the banking together once a month and if I could get her a better rate I'd move the money for her, with her agreement of course. After she died a daughter who had run for the hills when I asked her to help looking after mam started to question everything I did and raise accusations.

I mention this because of course we have to help relatives or even friends but you never know what can come back to bite you in the future and cause upset and stress.
 
My lad went down to London to watch his brothers band in a gig at Camden.
Now hes trying to find a train that will get him back to Leeds. All directs are cancelled.
This country is a bloody mess.
 
WAMT (well, yesterday!). Went to Snape Maltings and popped into the downstairs cafe for lunch. It's changed. Lunch cost twice what it used to and was horrible. Could have used the pitta to sole my shoe and the filling was just mush. Shame, as it used to be lovely! Even the coffee tasted off! (No! It wasn't me as my second lunch (at another venue) went down a treat.)
 
Cockney said:
My lad went down to London to watch his brothers band in a gig at Camden.
Now hes trying to find a train that will get him back to Leeds. All directs are cancelled.
This country is a bloody mess.
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Hope you son gets back OK. Travel delays are always frustrating. Seems it was damage to overhead lines between Peterborough and Grantham but I can't see a reason - last night's storm perhaps, but don't know.

Dave
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
Another example of why local authorities should not be allowed to contract out their duties to private companies?

www.bbc.co.uk

Why was a man who took a wee in a lay-by fined for littering?

A high-profile lawyer disputes a council's claim that public urination is littering.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

This story really peed me off. :exit:
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I've looked at who this company is.. District Environment.It's a nationwide company. I thought it might have targets set by the Council but I don't think so because it states that it's funded only by the fines administered so there is still an incentive there. Here's their 'mission statement"

"Our work is a balance of engagement, education and enforcement. We recognise the need to act fairly, legally and with moral integrity to bring about positive behavioural change in the few, for the benefit of the many. It’s what we do, day-in, day-out"

Didn't seem to have much fairness and moral integrity fining that chap which was borne out by the council who withdrew the fine.I'd bet the house he told the enforcement officer about medical condition. The officer is lying when he says he didn't. Sometimes van drivers will stop and have a pee by the trees across the road and I think nothing of it. If you have to go, you have to go. As long as one is as discreet as possible I see no problem. Years ago driving through France I saw a few men at the side of the autorutes having a pee. I wondered if that was ok in France but I found this report from 2021.

www.connexionfrance.com

Normandy travelling salesman fined €135 for urinating on country road

He has questioned what people in his position should do when there are no publicly available toilets along the road
www.connexionfrance.com www.connexionfrance.com
 
Tringa said:
Hope you son gets back OK. Travel delays are always frustrating. Seems it was damage to overhead lines between Peterborough and Grantham but I can't see a reason - last night's storm perhaps, but don't know.

Dave
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Nearly done.
Tube from St Pancreas to Euston. Euston to Manchester. Due to flood none direct to Leeds. So on train to Huddersfield. If no Huddersfield to Leeds option he can Uber from there.
When he left Euston his ticket was going to be honoured by Trans Pennine rail. By the time he got to Manchester that was withdrawn.
What a mess.
Good thing is his brother's group smashed it at the Camden gig.
 
Cockney said:
My lad went down to London to watch his brothers band in a gig at Camden.
Now hes trying to find a train that will get him back to Leeds. All directs are cancelled.
This country is a bloody mess.
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I'm just about to listen to Spurs v Newcastle and many Newcastle fans can't get to London because of cancelled trains due to storm damage to overhead cables. ..as mentioned by Tringa.. but I don't think there are any rail strikes today but there were some Friday/Saturday so maybe it's affected today's schedules.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Newcastle supporters hit by travel disruption as trains to London are cancelled

Thousands of Newcastle United fans travelling to London for the Spurs game have been hit by train disruption with many services cancelled.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
 
Phone queueing systems.
Had to call the Drs today was 4th in the queue so hung on every minute on the minute got 1 closer ended up at 1st in the queue 4 mins later the phone at outher end rang then more hold music and the anoying anouncement "your call is important to us we will get back to your call asap". They had never answered 17 mins later at lat an answer.
Why say its important to them then keep you waiting for ages. Grrrrrrr
 
luthy said:
Phone queueing systems.
Had to call the Drs today was 4th in the queue so hung on every minute on the minute got 1 closer ended up at 1st in the queue 4 mins later the phone at outher end rang then more hold music and the anoying anouncement "your call is important to us we will get back to your call asap". They had never answered 17 mins later at lat an answer.
Why say its important to them then keep you waiting for ages. Grrrrrrr
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I did similar with my Drs a few weeks back.
I rang and was 8 in the queue. I hung on and moved through the queue in about 35 minutes to 1st.
It rang an rang. It was then that I realised I only progressed through the queue because others were dropping out.
I drove down there and asked if the system was broken or why no answer.
Turns out they had turned the ringer off. They thought it was funny until they saw my thunder face.
 
My Dr say "if its life threatening hang up and dial 999" they are the Drs how the chuff do we know if its life threatening some condition look mild but arnt !!!!!!!
 
I think what they mean is if you check your pulse and discover that you don’t have one, hang up and dial 999. It’s serious ;)
 
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