"Booking an appointment"

When you get to see a doctor or nurse they are very helpful and pleasant. However, getting to see one is the problem. If you ask, you get told there is nothing for 4-5 weeks! Or you can try to book online when some slots are made available (you're lucky if you can) or attend at 8am in the hope of getting an appointment for the following day.

This whole system might work for predictable, ongoing illnesses. But....if you want to see a doctor quickly, forget it. Go to A & E, or the walk in centre. Consider what I witnessed today.

An elderly man stood for some while in a queue to make an appointment. He was told there was nothing available for 4 weeks. But he could return on Monday (it was Friday) at 8 am in the hope of getting an appointment for the following day. What standard of care is this? He was to suffer his discomfort/pain or whatever all weekend without help. How was he to travel to the surgery on the Monday and again Tuesday?

Of course he could book online - but some elderly people are not amenable to this. Sensitivity, care, treatment - not through this system of booking.