"Calling for urgent advice"

Recently called the Surgery at 17:50 looking for some urgent advice regarding my husband, who has a lung condition and is immunocompromised.

By the time I got through all the instructions on the phone system, I got to speak to a member of staff on reception who advised me that as it was 3 minutes to 6 and and the practice closes at 6, there was nobody available to help and I should dial 111.

Why is there the option to get through as an emergency up to 6 pm when there is nobody there to help? If there is no-one there before 6 why not just tell everyone the practice closes at 5:30?

I was extremely concerned and anxious and the member of staff made me feel as if I was keeping them back, which made me really angry and upset.