Getting a Doctors appointment is impossible

My friend went to her doctors, dragged a chair over so she could sit near reception, and told them she needed to see a doctor and would be waiting until they sorted an appointment out for her.

We have the same problem here.
We can go online to check if any appointments are available. I usually do this really early in the morning or my DH does it after midnight.

We are lucky to have a Walk in centre here where you can go if you can't get a GP appointment.

Nannyme you have my sympathy. Our surgery adopted this system of 'ring in the morning' but very quickly realised that it was not working and have since gone back to a more 'normal' system where we can book appts in advance both by phone and online. The only thing I can say is tell them it is an emergency (lay it on a bit thick!!). Usually they have some appts for such occasions.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on