Why do so many people have issue with crap GPs in the UK?

[AgapanthusLove]

I know the NHS is much revered but as a non UK person I am baffled by the very regular threads about poor service from GPs.
Why are so many of them seemingly so bad at their jobs?
Why is it so difficult to access them if an appointment is needed?
It seems very weird to me. I think I would rather pay for a service that worked & I felt attended to than a 'free' service that didn't give a shit about me or anyone else
Are there not enough GPS? Are they not trained highly enough? Why does there not seem to be enough to go around?
Genuinely interested as I've never experienced anything like what I read about here

No improvements here. You’re more likely to see a non-doctor for an initial appointment these days. The GP’s themselves are mostly absolute clowns, so goodness knows how bad the unqualified support staff are. The receptionist still models her personality on Cerberus, which is at least amusing. I am happy that I can pay for a private GP who does at least see me promptly at a time that is convenient.

I work in life sciences and am peripherally involved with a patient access project. Of the hundreds of patients surveyed, all of whom had a chronic condition, not one had a single good thing to say about the service provided by their GP, and most found them obstructive, unhelpful and inefficient. It’s pathetic that we can’t do better than this absolute dross.

They don't have any sort of boss to manage them! Really they don't.

So some are excellent at self managing others just get lazy and do the minimum.

Once past this there is the fact that the whole job of being a GP has broadened and become part doctor, part social worker, occasional relationship counsellor, mental health advocate etc etc. At the same time they are dealing with a big percentage of their patients who are simply timewasters.

Frankly it doesn't sound very appealing does it?!

Interestingly @KateSixer all of the other occupations you list probably earn less than half of a GP salary, and yet we’re constantly told we must pay them handsomely (and give them a gold-plated pension) to attract “the best” because their job is so difficult!

I have high hopes for AI in primary care, particularly improving poor diagnostic skills and referring more appropriately, but we’re not there yet.