AIBU to think getting a GP appointment has basically become impossible?

I can only vouch for our local surgery. Request for appt with short description of issue, by online form.

Get an allocated appt depending on urgency.

I've waited three weeks for a phone consultation or been seen face to face in three hours. But at least it works.

I understand your frustration if you can’t get an appt for weeks but we can always get an appt within a few days.

Ours has the online form. You have to get on and do it as soon as surgery opens at 8, but mine are really quick at getting back to you. Not sure how easy it is for people who can’t navigate the online system.

Do you have a link to this contract? My practice definitely doesn't have that so it would be interesting to ask them why.

I'm very lucky in that no matter when I phone, I can always get a same / next day appointment or a phone call if I prefer. There is no scramble and it's all very chill. I have absolutely no idea how they do this - it seems really unfair when my parents (and many others) literally cannot get an appointment no matter what they do.
Saying all that, I am currently stuck in the black hole of our local Trust - the system is not working well for anyone.

I think poorly of any surgery still operating this system. Our GP has an online form and phone option and triages, so you either get an urgent appointment, a future appointment or an appointment with the surgery nurse or another visiting HCP. You still have to wait for your appointment but it's a civilised system that seems to work.

We have an 8am scramble but cab usually get an appointment that day when you get through. If there are no appointments they cannot put you in for the next day, you have to play 8 am scramble again the next day. It’s an odd system which doesn’t prioritise any particular issues, and if you cannot get to the phone at 8 you’d never see anyone.

The surgery should have its phone lines and online options operating from 8 to 6:30. That’s part of their contract from 1 October 2025. If they don’t, complain to them not to MN.

I'm very lucky to be registered with a surgery where I can generally get a same day appointment as long as I'm on the phone at 8am to book, usually a queue of about 6-7.

My husband has been trying to register to our local GP for nearly a year so I'm not hopeful he'll be as lucky as I am. Most of my pals are in a similar boat to you, it's impossible.

Unfortunately there are more people wanting an appointment than there are available.

The three minutes in the OP was online forms so I guess once a certain amount get submitted they close it, easy done in three minutes I would think.

We have the ridiculous 8am scramble. Usually takes 30-40 minutes to get through but there have always been appointments available once I'm actually at the head of the queue.

Unless your surgery has 50 people answering the phones or one GP only working an hour a day, I don't see how all appointments can be gone in three minutes?

Edit: Sorry, just realised you're booking online. No suggestions but sympathy.

Same here. I have a folate level of 2.5 according to a recent blood test which nothing seems to be helping and I’ve been waiting three weeks for someone from my surgery to call me back for an appointment to discuss. I’m not dying, no but I do feel like death!

Completely agree but I don’t know what the solution is. That said, our local practice will eventually fit you in if you do an online consultation for a non urgent thing and then the dr will book a follow up. But it’s likely weeks til the first appointment.

Urgent issues are hit or miss. If you call and the list is filled for the day you have to call 111 instead.

Surgeries still operating by phone have the ‘8am scramble’. Mine has an online system and it works really well.

I can generally get a GP appointment at our surgery, but I know we're very lucky and this is one of the reasons why I'm adamant we won't be moving out of their catchment area, particularly as we get older.