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.
Day 4 - started phoning a bit earlier before 8 am to see whether you could queue earlier but got the "practice closed" message. Persistent redial on 7:59am and I got a ring tone, number four in the queue, GET IN!!
Their Appt system is down. My name, number, DOB, address and rationale for wanting see DR written down. At least I am on their radar now. I reckon this / today could deliver 
Well done 
about time too and with your nice doctor. Happy days XX
