AIBU to expect my GP surgery to allow phone bookings?

Try updating the NHS app. This happened to me and as soon as I updated the app, everything worked fine. The NHS app seems to be updated about twice a month and, unlike most other apps, it doesn’t tell you to update it.

I have a similar issue with ours
. You attempt to ring 8.30 an hour on the phone,you are told your place in the queue. By the time you get through, no appointment. Sometimes phone appointment,that's fine for some things. A couple of years ago,nice receptionist said "go home,get one our website, book online.. except I've never been able to! I got onto the surgery website, then name address dob. Then a red box appears" humm,there appears to be a problem,you aren't registered with this surgery, would you like to choose another from the drop-down menu ". No I wouldn't because I have been registered with this surgery for 15 years,! I had already typed in my email address and maid a password. Tried logging in, same red box. Went I'm the surgery, different receptionist,showed her on my phone, with their site showing, explained what was happening, she said she didn't recognise it, it wasn't correct..I tried very hard to get some help from her, she pushed the phone back through the glass screen, practically throwing it, turned away. I'm not stupid, I was nursing over 40 years, pretty good at dealing with difficult and rude medics. I was getting upset and angry and decided to leave before I got removed as a patient. We are in a village,there's no choice. Other people have tried with my phone and details,it has never worked.

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lol.

mine did this a while ago.

yes, you put in an e consult and they decide whether they can be bothered to phone you. You no longer have any way to book and appointment without going through triage.

TBF my practice uses the triage system and it's fab. The form takes about five minutes and allows me to be crystal clear without the assymptions or misinterpretations of a receptionist. When I had a chest infection, I got a link to apts for that day; when I had a suspicious lump (arm and it had been there for 3-6 months), I got a link to apts after about five days and over about 10 thereafter.

My only beef is with telephone appointments because I can't clear my professional diary for an entire afternoon.

@Poorlyadvised22 they should assist to allow you to use the technology but I think if you can use MNet, you can use the NHS or GP app. I do think exceptions need to be made for the very elderly like MIL and mother who are 90 and 89.

Do you have nhs app as some surgeries (not ours though) take messages and booking via there.

Yes, your surgery must offer phone bookings as an option, even if they are promoting online as the primary route.
Your first step is to complain to the practice manager, explaining that they are contravening NHS guidelines. If this doesn’t help, or if you’ve already complained direct, contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) who will take up the case.

Online cuts out the need for unnecessary face to face appointments.
last week I sent a photo of my issue, they send the prescription to my local chemist the same day. Saves so much wasted time.

This. The triage forms get reviewed by hcp and either an appointment booking link sent, call back or ideas for self treatment.

Ours is the same - it's a triage system, you can't book. Once it's checked by a GP, receptionist rings you back to make an appointment according to how the GP has ranked it.
To be fair, DH submitted a form at about 11.30 am the other week as he thought he had a chest infection. Reception had called him back by 12 and offered an appointment at 1. So was pretty efficient for him.

Online appointments are triaged. You write a few words to say why you need one then you get access to the booking page. It’s improved the ability to get an appointment out of all recognition here, it’s so much better than hanging on the phone for hours.

We can’t book appointments online or via the receptionist. It’s a “triage form” which takes about twenty minutes to fill in even for minor complaints and then sit and wait to see if they’ll see you. Disaster if they give you an appointment at a time you can’t make because getting through to change it is challenging!

They are supposed to offer a phone option if you need help or can’t use or don’t have internet.