Count yourself lucky - my GP surgery in Cornwall will only allow appointments on the same day, and they're usually all booked within minutes of the phone line opening at 8am.

My GP surgery in Cardiff is much better, IMO, the morning surgery is walk-in and operated on a first-come,first served basis; appointments are only allowed in the afternoon.

Same here. Thankfully, I've not had need of their services in some time.

I probably got that wrong, I expect this one was the same. It was my girlfriend trying to make the appointment, and after a week of this she was crying so hard I couldn't really understand what she was saying.

In the end she went to her old doctor in Belgium. Good old EU rules mean it was paid for by the NHS, and probably cost less than it would here.

Personally, I just self medicate every ailment with whisky. Doctors just aren't worth the grief.

There was something about this "Same day only" appointment business on the news either last year or maybe late on the year before. As I remember, it was explained as a distortion of the rules.

The "Rules" say that everyone will be able to see a G.P. within 24 hrs. As this target appears to be unrealistic, only same-day appointments are allowed. If you haven't made an official appointment, the clock isn't ticking. It doesn't matter that you've been unwell for a week when you finally get to see a G.P. so long as you only made the appointment that morning.

Never done any myself, but this looks like fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6macaiVSLw

This is what happens when you let Govts decide targets. The better systems seem to be one that allows a mix eg one session is booked appointments, one session is book-on-the-day or first-come, first-serve. It means those who really need to see someone urgently aren't waiting too long, and it then frees up the booked appointments for the more routine/non-urgent things.

Yes but if you need an appointment and like me have a serious memory problem about getting somewhere then it is a problem. I had to wait three weeks before I could book an appointment because I kept missing the relevant slot.

Do you not have any way of reminding yourself? I use reminders on my phone.

5 notice boards and a computer reminder system. A phone reminder system only works if you carry your phone everywhere. I do not.

Not really "surgery" but you know the calluses that normally form on the balls (and heels) of your feet? Well I just sliced them off very carefully using a Stanley knife. Now I just need some sandpaper and I'll have super smooth skin too!

That's not surgery, that's just a pedicure

(8-s)

I had a wart on my hand that I gouged out. Surprising how deep the roots are!

I've done that before.

I got half way through and regretted starting. It was on my thumb I think.

I once tried to dig out a splinter in my hand. Botched it,and it went deeper. It is now sealed in my hand. Still visible.