"Poor system for GP appointments"

I have now tried to get a GP appointment for 10 days at my practice. Viewfield / Mayfield in Stirling. The system is you call today and get an apt for the corresponding day next week. ie call Thursday and get offered next Thursday. I've diligently called every day starting at 8am and by the time I get through the day is full and I am advised to call the next day. I've delayed going to work, changed meetings etc all so I can call in and wait to get through.

I'm not a frequent user - last went to the GP around 10 years ago so didn't even realise my GP had retired when I first called! It's taken me a very long time to admit I now need some medical help from my GP and my symptoms are getting worse. I'm not urgently unwell and it's not appropriate for me to go to A&E or uses OOH - I need to see my GP!!

The receptionists I dealt with (who I felt acted like gatekeepers) lack any kind of soft skills to deal with people - I was told to 'get up earlier' ( really!)  and also that 'keep trying, one day you might get through'. I was told that they are 'not allowed' to make appts other than for that day, only a doctor can do that. So - can I speak to a doctor?... No.

This is not a sustainable system - I know no other surgery that does this.