My GP offer a phone on the day if you need an appointment. I phoned yesterday and today bang on opening time at 8am. Engaged tone. I'm ringing continually until 8:30am when I had to take my daughter to school. I tried on my return after 9am - same. Eventually about 11am I get the ring tone, it's answered, and the machine tells me I'm number TWELVE in the queue. I hang up - clearly all the appointments are gone now. Today I get the ring tone at 9:30am and I'm number thirteen in the queue. I have lost the will to live now and I give up.
Fastest finger to the GP phone line . . . . . . . . . . sigh
It's so dis-spiriting when you don't get the ring tone.
I don't think phone-on-the-day is the right way to do it. I think they should do double-booking (to allow for the no-shows) or a universal triage system. Or I think the haematology/oncology treatment lines should offer more support to take the pressure off primary care.
Or perhaps the system is working and the fact I've given-up shows it's not important enough for a slot LOL 
I know many people aren't available at 8am due to school run or work so my problem is miniscule in comparison.
GP consultations over text ? Surely not?! Everyone can talk better (faster) than they type. You know what's next? GP online bots or those phone systems where you speak your question and the machine responds eg "Sorry, I don't understand your question. Please use fewer words. ". Then it gets the wrong question, answers it and closes the call, marking you as "fixed" 
That's crazy, you shouldn't have to go through so much to see one doctor and get an appointment. It's like that here as well. Getting to see a doctor is as rare as seeing a unicorn, rare 
Day 3 phoning the GP. 8:00 engaged tone 
