Doctor shares best method to get GP appointment without joining 8am phone queue

A doctor has shared his top tips for bypassing the dreaded 8am phone queue and secure a GP appointment.

It’s always a hassle to wake up early only to find yourself stuck in a virtual line to make an appointment with your doctor. Even if you call bang on 8am, sometimes all the slots are taken before you get through and you have to call back another day.

However, TikTok doctor Tim Mercer has now revealed some handy advice to boost your chances of seeing your GP. His hacks have garnered more than 1,000 likes as he wished those trying to book an appointment the best of luck.

Sharing these “insider secrets,” Dr Mercer explained there is a better way to reach out to the surgery to “maximise” your odds of securing a slot.

It’s worth noting that these tips are based on Dr Mercer’s experience, and differ between GP surgeries nationwide. His first piece of advice was to make use of e-consultations on your surgery’s website, and he said earlier slots might be available which could lead to a face-to-face appointment.

Dr Mercer stated: “E-consultations at my surgery open at six in the morning, so it may be that if you’re up that early and prepared you can set an alarm for six, do an e-consultation and I will give you an appointment or give you attention for your medical concern that same day.”

He also said physically going to your surgery at 8am could be effective, rather than picking up the phone. “Many patients are now queuing up outside the surgery at eight o’clock in the morning to get an appointment, as I imagine they may have done 20 years ago,” he said. “This seems to have a reasonably high rate of success.”

Flexibility can also help you see a professional earlier. Dr Mercer pointed out that there are “PCN (Primary Care Network) Extended Access” slots available when your local GP can’t fit you in.

“This won’t be with the doctor that you want,” he admits, but “it will be with a GP and that might well be what you need.”

Simply asking your GP receptionist to pencil you in for a potential call-back slot later in the day can also work, although success isn’t assured. Seeking assistance from your pharmacist – who may push the surgery for support – or taking direction from receptionists who offer guidance towards appropriate care is also advised.

The diligent TikTok doc summed up his advice, insisting on the merits of staying open to various paths to medical assistance: “It may well be worth following that path of inquiry because many team members are more capable now and if there’s ever any struggle they can always get in touch with me.”