To think this GP appointment booking system is insane?

Ours do that too. Could not understand why I have to be online at a specific time to book an appointment. It’s an online system so should surely be 24 hours?!

On a different note, I saw an actual doctor last week! First time in over 5 years. Didn’t actually need to see one as I needed a referral for something so had no discernible systems that needed a diagnosis 🤷🏻‍♀️

I hear you OP. It's either a call at 8am where only 30 people are allowed to queue, the rest are told to call back later (automated voice) but all appointments are gone by then, or online which is closed after 10 minutes due to capacity.

I've been trying to get an appointment since Christmas for my out of control blood pressure ironically enough.

Our surgery releases appointments throughout the day so although there is a rush at 8am they don't all go because not all of them are available to book. It is a large surgery though and you can see an advanced nurse practitioner or a PA depending on what you need to be seen for. They also do telephone appointments too. I did this recently as it was a follow up and it was just to confirm the meds were working and I wasn't having any horrific side effects.

If you can't get through then contact the practice manager and tell them that. Hopefully with enough feedback they may be able to restructure how they do their appointments.

My GP is completely different. They have 3 practices and they all share the telephone system so when you ring, you get through to whichever receptionist who's able to book appointments for any of the branches. They're all relatively close together so they can give you an appointment at either surgery, whatever works. When you're waiting for someone to answer, it also gives you the option to request a call back instead and usually they ring back within 20 mins. I've not needed an urgent appointment recently, but anything I've needed there's usually space within a week.

I would type everything out I needed to put in the form and copy and paste it over.
Are you sure you can't go through the NHS app? The form is open 24/7. You need to register but it should be easier this way

Could you with get to work early or leave 5 minutes later and do the online form before you go?

I have never encountered our online form being closed. I don't see why they would stop accepting requests as I am sure most people don't need an urgent appointment. It is more common that there won't be any appointments left once they send you a booking link but phoning the surgery (in the afternoon) and relaying it to them always resulted in them booking one for me, typically within 3-4 days.

It will be interesting to see how the planned changes actually impact the ability to book appointments . Lots of surgeries seem to use this system, our surgery is usually better mid week, DD goes to a surgery where you can only book an emergency appointment on the day, anything else is booked ahead, she works 8-5 so asks for appointments post 5pm, her earliest offered appointment when she last tried to book in January was for mid March

Online at mine works well. Phoning is next to useless. Just glad we lucky enough to not need the gp

Online form is available from 8am to 3pm - except it isn't! They closed it at 10am yesterday as they 'couldn't accept any more requests'.... I filled the form in at 8am this morning (you can't start before 8am and save to submit later). To phone you need to be on at 8am and can be cut off after 50 minutes without getting through........ And they wonder why people go to the minor injuries unit or A&E!

Is it an option for you to get to work early so you can access the online form once you're there?

So what's your solution? There is a limited number of appointments and escalating demand. Many people cannot use an online booking system (older adults, people with intellectual disabilities, visual loss or simply no internet access). What system would you design?

Online triage has worked well for me/my family. Can only use during surgery hours but have never encountered it being closed due to demand. A first come first served system is not appropriate in mg opinion.

Insane. My one is booked up within minutes- automated phone line saying not to go to A and E and then the receptionist saying they can only see you in an dire emergency or get the doctor to call back in within 2-3 days.

I agree it’s completely dysfunctional.

We can now only book appointments via the online form, and even then when I’ve tried all they’ll offer is a phone call several days later.

I like the idea of a free-at-point-of-use healthcare system, but when I can’t actually access healthcare promptly (nor have much confidence in the services ability).

Our surgery has a similar system, and it is a complete joke.

I was told if you go on the system after midnight, you have a better chance of getting an appointment as it is updated then.