"Lack of GP appointments"

I've had the most terrible experience of trying to get an appointment with my GP.  I had been ringing them almost every week and often calling at reception to make an urgent appointment with a GP.  This went on for 8 months without ever getting an appointment.  I always had the same reply from reception - We do not have any appointments for today, tomorrow or next week.

I asked many times - can I have an appointment for two weeks' time?  Always received the same reply - We only allocate appointments for one week at a time.  I'd try the following week and get the same response. 

Because I had severe pains in my legs and had difficulty walking (and living alone) I needed urgent treatment. I enlisted the help of my local MP, who after the second attempt, managed to get me an appointment. Even then, after waiting 8 months, I was only given 2 minutes of the GP's time. 

Because of such a long wait, I had built up several serious problems with my health that needed attention.  Was told by the GP to make another appointment, to which I replied -What, and wait another 8 months?

I sincerely hope the GP practice involved is eventually held to account,  but is my experience common among most/all HNS GP practices in this country?

Just as a footnote, the GP practice involved has recently moved everything onto an app thing on mobile phones.  This is totally useless to me as I can't afford a mobile phone, don't actually need one, and don't want one. So, back to ringing them or calling into reception for none existing appointments. 

I had the brilliant idea of changing my GP and have now registered with a new GP practice, who insisted didn't have these kind of problems  I still live in hope.