"166 calls to get through at 8am"

I'm a Type 2 Diabetic with other complications. I was advised whilst having blood tests at NMGH that they could not measure my blood sugars (HBA1C) when I went for a thyroid check despite diabetes & endocrinology being in the same department. NMHC said to contact my GP. Phoned, no appointments. Told to phone the 7-day service - no appointments, told to contact 111. After about an hour on hold I got through to a 111 health advisor who ran through some checks. Asked for my exact postcode and if I had a responsible adult with me as the levels I reported over the phone were critical (blood sugar levels on my home meter had been >20 for almost 2 weeks). 111 arranged an appointment by phone with Peterloo the same day - I was told that there are always spare appointments that only 111 have access to. Spoke to a Doctor that evening and agreed the way forward. Doctor told me to call reception straight back (18:10 that evening) to book the next available blood test appointment. No answer from reception at 18:10 though should have been open until 18:30. Answerphone said to call back at 08:00 the next day. Started calling at 08:00 exactly and it took 166 redials to get through to reception. I did manage to get an appointment for blood tests the same morning even though reception tried to fob me off to the 7-day service again but 166 calls (16 of which were answered and then instantly hung up) to get through to reception is plain ridiculous. What would the Daily Mail say?

Pandemic or no pandemic the rest of us have to go to work.

No problems when you get there, it's a very good practice but nigh on impossible to get an appointment.