Why does the phone keep ringing when I call my GP?t

[Fiona2011231]

For me, this issue is mysterious and I was wondering if many encounter the same thing.

Whenever I call my GP number for an appointment, the phone keeps ringing for a few minutes before someone picks it up.

I suppose in a normal family or office, everyone would be annoyed or uncomfortable when the phone keeps ringing.

Then why does it happen at a GP without making everyone there annoyed?
Thank you

The receptionist is probably dealing with a patient at the desk or otherwise unable to answer immediately. Mine have two phone lines and usually are dealing with people at the desk or issues through the back before they can answer.

Agree with shouldntave - the receptionist does phone answering and checking patients in and giving out prescriptions, so sometimes can't pick up immediately. Also the ring volume is probably turned down low so that it doesn't annoy everyone else

I asked the receptionist about this as there's no constant ringing when I'm there - she told me that when this happens, I'm actually in a queue on their system. Why the damn surgery can't have a message TELLING me that, I don't know

I have to ring a lot of different drs as part of my job and most of them have a queue system, so on their screen it will say 5 people waiting but you hear it as a ring on your end rather than an engaged tone iyswim

Whilst it is ringing you are not paying for the call. We have 5 people answering calls at peak times with others picking up the emergency line, but still you have to queue. Patients complain if they are kept holding after making the connection.

Our don't ring in the reception area - too busy to expect them t answer phone AND talk to patients - they are answered by a team "upstairs".