These days, getting an appointment with an NHS GP feels like playing the lottery.
Between phone queues that cut you off after you’ve been on hold for over an hour, online booking systems crashing, and appointments that seem to run out at 8:01 a.m., the process can test even the most patient among us. If you’ve ever felt like everything else in life is easier, you’re not alone. Here are realistic things that, sadly, feel simpler than securing a GP appointment right now.
1. Getting a same-day delivery slot for groceries
With the rise of online supermarkets and services like Uber Eats, and Amazon’s relationship with Morrison’s and Co-Op, it’s now easier to get a week’s worth of groceries delivered to your doorstep within hours than it is to speak to your GP about that persistent cough. No 8 a.m. battles required.
2. Booking a last-minute holiday
With travel sites offering deals and last-minute availability, jetting off for a weekend city break requires less stress than booking a 10-minute consultation. Skyscanner, 1 — your GP’s receptionist, 0.
3. Securing your favourite concert tickets
Yes, the Ticketmaster queues were intense, but at least they moved. And once you were in, you had a shot at getting what you needed. The GP appointment system, on the other hand, feels like a never-ending holding pattern.
4. Completing your self-assessment tax return
Filling in forms for HMRC can be tedious, but at least it’s a straightforward process with clear deadlines. GP appointment systems? Less straightforward and definitely less predictable.
5. Getting through airport security at peak holiday season
Sure, the queues at Heathrow can be long, but at least you know you’ll eventually reach the scanner. With GP appointments, it often feels like the queue resets daily, and you’re back at square one every morning.
6. Finding a parking space at your local supermarket on a Saturday
While it might take a few laps around the car park, there’s usually an end in sight. With GP bookings, however, it often feels like that coveted slot is always just out of reach.
7. Navigating the UK passport renewal process
Source: Unsplash Applying for a new passport can take a few weeks, but the system is transparent, and you know what to expect. Try getting an appointment for a recurring health issue, and the process feels far more ambiguous and drawn-out.
8. Getting a refund from an online retailer
Even the most notoriously difficult customer service departments pale in comparison to the hurdles involved in booking a GP appointment. At least with a refund, you can often sort things out via email or live chat.
9. Passing your driving theory test
The theory test isn’t exactly a breeze, but with a bit of preparation, most people can book and pass it without too much hassle. Meanwhile, navigating a GP appointment system feels like trying to crack an unsolvable riddle.
10. Getting a last-minute table at a popular London restaurant
Even in a city known for its packed dining spots, you can usually score a table through apps like OpenTable or by calling ahead. Your GP surgery, however, won’t magically squeeze you in because you’re “feeling lucky.”
11. Organising a plumber for an emergency leak
When water is pouring through your ceiling, plumbers tend to respond quickly. But getting someone to address your non-urgent but worrying health symptoms? That’s another story entirely.
12. Finding a school placement for your child
School placements might involve paperwork and waiting lists, but the process is structured and eventually resolved. GP appointments, in contrast, feel like an ongoing battle with no guarantee of success.
13. Picking up a prescription from a pharmacy
While pharmacies have their own queues, you can generally walk in and pick up your medication. But before you even get to that point, you need the elusive GP appointment to secure the prescription in the first place.
14. Applying for a council permit or service
From parking permits to waste collection requests, council processes can be slow, but at least you can submit your forms and track their progress. GP appointment systems rarely offer the same transparency or ease.
15. Finding a hairdresser on a Saturday afternoon
Hair salons may be busy, but there’s usually someone who can squeeze you in for a quick trim. GP surgeries, on the other hand, seem to operate in a parallel universe where slots vanish the moment they’re released.
