Overview

• Dropping into GP surgeries can lead to same-day slots and allow receptionists to assess visible illness for prioritisation.
• Calling in the afternoon—especially on Tuesdays—can help patients bypass the 8am surge and catch cancellations or extra appointments.
• Avoiding Mondays and Fridays reduces busy-line frustration by targeting midweek quieter periods for contact.
• Explaining how symptoms affect daily life and using phrases like “this is not normal for me” signals urgency more effectively.
• Redirecting to a local pharmacy for conditions such as UTIs or sore throats is a valid care pathway rather than a dismissal.