How to use the online alarm clock
As you hand over what you are doing before leaving for an NHS night shift, an alarm set for 12:24 am gives you a firm point to stop explaining, collect your things and move on. It also leaves 36 minutes before 1:00 am, which may be enough for the journey, changing and finding the right ward without turning the whole departure into a rush.
Before relying on the alarm for your NHS shift, check where the sound will play. Headphones can remain connected after you have put them down, quietly taking the alert with them instead of letting it come through the phone or computer speakers. Disconnect them or select the intended speaker, then confirm that the volume is audible. The NHS shift alarm will not sound if this page has been closed or the phone or computer has fallen asleep, so keep it open and awake until 12:24 am.
Stepping outside for a night shift can feel unexpectedly clammy at this hour, especially after rain or under low cloud. At 12:24 am, check the conditions by the door and allow a moment for misted glasses or a damp windscreen before setting off. A light outer layer may also make the walk from the car park or bus stop more comfortable without leaving you burdened indoors.
Common questions
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?
No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 12:24 am?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
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