How do I get a doctors appointment?

[Aridane]

Not talking here about a face to face appointment (though that would be nice).

There is now no longer a facility to book online and there is no answer when ringing the surgery.

Do I contact 1 11, or go in person to the surgery to request an appointment (told not to go to surgery without an appointment), or write a letter (!!) requesting an appointment!

(Obviously speaking her about my gps practice and not all others!)

It's often impossible to get through to my doctors , and having many long term illnesses I speak to them weekly. Sometimes I just give in and go and speak to them in person. Their reception is now accessed by a window so we're outside and they're inside.

I wonder if you just can't get through could you so something like this?

Ah sorry I see you mentioned going in person - that is what I do and often it's my only option if I've tried all day to call on the phone, but to no avail.

111 is really only for when your GP surgery is closed. You're likely to be told to persevere with your practice. Do they not have a website with e consult or even an email address? Failing that you could write a letter and post it through their letterbox or ring the buzzer if they have an intercom?
When you say there is no answer when you ring the surgery do you mean they're so busy you have to wait in a long queue? There must be a way to make contact with them! Good luck!

Do they not have a website with e consult or even an email address?

No email address and a note saying that the website has not enabled any messaging facility.

But now you mention that, there is an eco silt and I could try that to request an appointment, failing which put a letter through letterbox

Phone just rings out!

All GPs should have online access - phone your local CCG to complain/ask for advice.

Phone just rings out is not acceptable. My practice has a phone queueing system - a bit annoying, because you have to listen to the long Covid message every time, but once you join the queue, it tells you what number you are every so often. So, you will get through eventually.

If your practice is impossible to contact, I would be tempted to find another. You don't have to give a reason for switching.

Are you on social media? Any local Facebook groups to ask if others are having similar issues locally?

Turns out there was a fault on the line that was just calling it to ring out

If all else failed, I'd try a letter. I had an exchange with my GP practice back in April, I wrote them letters, doctor replied by "do-not-reply" email or SMS. It was probably quicker than getting an appointment.