Called GP at 8. Guess my position in the queue?

[HaveYouHadYourBreak]

GP opens at 8.
Called at 8.
After several "press 1 for... press 2 for..." options. Guess my position in the queue.
Clue: It's moved 2 places in 8 minutes.

54

And instead of turning the call music volume down... I just hung up.
Super.

Doesn’t your GP have the online requests set up? It’s loads easier to fill that out at 8am and wait for them to come back to you. I thought everywhere had to offer this now.

22

I did the same I was 154 now 88

Nope.
They have merged with a few other practices (which I didnt even realise) so maybe they will set it up?

Hmm if it’s merged to make a new mega practice then probably longer queue.

my gp is just for my small town and I’m usually about 20 or 30 in the queue so I’m guessing 111

They should have an app

I keep getting told the queue is full and they hang up on me, so I’m envious you have a queue!

Ive never been more than 5th at my GP. It’s a single practice but large. You can also text to be triaged and they send you a link where you can book your own appointment. I love my GP practice. Not all of them are crap.

Don't they offer online consultation through the NHS app? I thought it was now mandatory. I've used it a number of times over the last year or so, and it works really well.

Yeah online requests via the NHS app is the way forward.

Online consultation is now mandatory but not all GPs offer it despite it being mandatory.

24. My GP doesn't have online either, they had it but took it away again.

I tend to go via E-consult these days and my surgery are really good at triaging me. It is so so frustrating though trying to get through and Monday mornings are the worst of all.

All of this is designed to push people to private GP. Started under Tories expanding under Labour.

This is why I like my GP practice - they have an online form to fill in at 8 am and then triage from this.

I filled out the form at 8 am, they telephoned 15 minutes later with an appointment time face to face

Or I can fill out the form to get a blood test, about 30 minutes later a text comes through for me to book a blood test

or they give me a telephone appointment for later that morning

I don't have to sit in a queue on the phone and when I got my appointment face to face I was really feeling dreadful, had emergency surgery later that day. If the triage wasn't in place I would have umed and arrhed about going to A&E

This was meant to say "24"!

I was position 42 when I called at 8.
Then when I called back after accidently hanging up, I was position 72!
I've just got off the phone and shock, no appointments left. All bookable future appointments are also fully booked.
I have to phone back tomorrow and hope for the best.
The "funny" thing is, I would happily book an appointment for a couple of weeks. It isn't urgent but I cant do that because they only release a certain amount each day and it's an 8 o'clock scramble to get them.

60?

NHS app?

I have been onto my Dr since 8:15am, got through at 09:05am, to be told its gone 9am and i should have called earlier! I will try again tomorrow.

87 btw.

Though I don't doubt that this is a very real problem, as it's so often in the media, I'd be interested to know the regions where this sort of thing happens on a day to day basis. Over the last three years I have lived across three counties – four different GPs – including London, and GPs have always been very accessible and quick appointments given readily.

As I say, I don't go about my day thinking 'what's the problem? GPs appointments are easy to come by', but I'm certainly left a bit confused.

Same, it’s a really good system and all GPs are supposed to offer this option now.

OP of yours don’t then ask why, it’s supposed to be available everywhere now.

I’m in Ireland, not the UK. I don’t qualify for free GP treatment (it’s means based) so pay out of pocket and it’s 100% worth the cost. I’ve never not been able to get a GP appointment on the day I need it. I can email or ring my clinic and they either confirm available appointments over the phone, or email me back same day. I’m lucky to have a brilliant GP, and the follow-up and care is excellent.

The hold that the NHS seems to have over British people is astounding. It’s amazing that people are dying and suffering all for the protection of a system that doesn’t work, based on what seems to be some war-era pride.