"Restricted access to GP services when working full time"

I moved GP practices about a year ago. Within that time I have tried on a number of occasions to arrange an appointment with the GP, but have been unable to do so. I work full time - I am not always able to call the practice during the week within their specified times in the mornings (often having to wait over an hour to get through) to arrange an appointment.  I had tried to do so on my days off, but continually get told they have no appointments available and to call back again the next day.  

I now rely on a private telephone GP service to receive medical care. Whilst this has been a lifeline to me, it is limited in terms of treatment options. My most recent issue requires a visit to my NHS GP for further test and examinations. The private GP advised me to call my NHS GP and ask for an urgent urine test to rule out infection. I called my GP to request this and was told that a doctor would need to see me and would call me back within a couple of hours. This is the first time I have managed to get past the reception triage and I was quite hopeful I would get the treatment I needed.

The GP called me back 2 hours later and asked me to come in later that day as they would need to examine me before carrying out a urine test. Unfortunately I couldn't make the appointment that day - I was at work, but asked if I could come the next day (or another day) instead and I could arrange time off to accommodate. I was told this was not possible, they could not book appointments in advance and I had to call back the following morning to try and get an appointment that day. I advised the GP that my issue was serious and should be treated urgently. Calling back the next day would just result in the same outcome - waiting for a GP to call me back (if I managed to get an appointment at all that day) and asking me to come in that day at a time I would likely be at work. I was then told that if it was an emergency, I should go to A&E instead for treatment. As a reminder - I was asking for a urine test to rule out an infection, following medical advice received from a private GP service - hardly worth a trip to A&E and putting pressure on this service.

I know services are stretched to capacity right now, but common sense should prevail when it comes to GP appointments - particularly for those of us in employment, who can't leave work the same day for a GP appointment and putting our jobs at risk.