"The ‘appointment system’ doesn’t work"

Called this morning 8am - 31 in the queue. My third time of ringing in 5 days. I was connected to receptionist at 8.32 - No appointments remaining! I was at a meeting around 20 years ago when this ‘system’ was trialed: Ring your surgery for same day appointments. The doctor leading the ‘seminar’ suggested that this system would only work if there were sufficient appointments to satisfy the demand. There weren’t then and there are still not today!! I was told this morning the usual, come and wait for the doors to open and you will get an appointment. How is this acceptable? My mind always goes to the elderly person, possibly not that mobile, who is required to queue outside the surgery before 8 am to be given an appointment where they need to revisit the surgery later that day. Bearing in mind that as they need a doctors appointment, probably are unwell! We have a health service to which we have financially contributed all our working lives and therefore have a right to access it. I have put off making an appointment for an ongoing problem for months, when I attempt to see the doctor I am reminded as to why I hesitate.