Tried to get a GP appointment this morning... is this normal?

[summedup]

So I haven't been to a GP in years. I have set appointments in advance for things like smear tests and DCs vaccinations but can't remember the last time I was ill and needed to see a GP relatively urgently.

I have an ear infection. Called the GP yesterday lunchtime and they said they had no appointments for the day and to call back at 8am tomorrow to get an on-the-day appointment.

I called at 8.03am and was number 28 in the call queue and then on hold for 1/2 an hour.

Is this normal?!!! I'm a bit
What's it like in your area?

(I managed to get an appointment for 5pm today!)

I do wonder if people would be opposed to increasing NI contributions for the NHS specifically. An extra £1 a month for every U.K. taxpayer would be close to £500m for the NHS per year. I wouldn’t do it as a flat rate like that obviously, but a small amount of additional NI would make a massive difference. The problem right now however isn’t lack of funds but a government choosing to cut funding, I shudder to think how much all this Brexit bullshit has cost. Meanwhile GP practices have had their funding per patient slashed. It’s a disgrace.

I’d happily pay extra NI if we had a government willing to fund the nhs properly.

Yes that sounds normal. I always manage to get an appointment for the day if urgent (mainly for the children so far) but have to ring for ages to finally get through to the receptionist and then the gp calls me back later to see if I need an appointment. I'm just grateful for the appointment to be honest.

Sorry, people asking how I got through on a Sunday, our GP is a "Practice Plus" which is open 7 days a week. There's a walk-in service too but I don't have hours to wait for an appointment as I have baby and a toddler that I can't bring with me so need a set appointment time that I can coordinate with DH being at home for childcare.

our GP is a "Practice Plus" which is open 7 days a week

All that plus you got an appointment on a Monday?

Don’t know you’re born, honestly.

Same day appointments at my surgery mean a phone call at 8am and then a doctor calls you back to triage you and let you know whether you need an appointment. Often you don't get one. It is a total nightmare to be honest. When I have a bad flare one doctor at the practice always says my long term issue can wait a few days and then my consultant has to phone him and say it can't. Every single time. Thankfully he seems to have been taken off the triage rotation now.