My GP surgery uses a triage system where you have to ring in from 8.30am to speak to the receptionist about why you want an appointment, the GP rings you back at some point during the day, asks you why you want to see them and then offers you an appointment.
I work! So 8.30 onwards is not convenient.
One of my DC has a non urgent need to see a GP for his acne. A pharmacist has already told us what he needs but he was powerless to prescribe anti-biotics, has to see a GP. DC is at a school a half hour drive away, which means to get him to an appointment could take up to an hour. Over the last few months, and especially when he's not been in school, I've rung the surgery from 8.30am. I get the usual recorded message then told to hold if I wish to make an appointment for that day. The phone then rings for exactly 3 minutes before cutting off. I've spent up to 2 hours redialling the surgery (no queue system) before giving up.
I took my son into the surgery last week, only to be told that I'd have to ring the following morning for an appointment. I asked if his name could be added to the call list for the following morning to be told no, I'd have to ring in. He could be treated by the practice nurse, but the nurse is only in once a week!? And the next appointment would be the 9th of January!
This is not a complaint about the receptionists, just about the whole crap system of not being able to make a non urgent appointment in advance.