Glad I'm not in the UK
First, the doctors need to get with the program and hire a PR agency like everyone else does to counter the negativity with positive comments. Apple has a good blueprint for this.
Next, I'm just laughing at everyone's experiences with their doctors. From not having actually physically seen one in years, to only getting a few minutes of time and quickly ushered it of the office.
You guys have this so backasswards it's not even funny. Get your government out of the business of playing doctor. Then start paying the docs directly, out of your own pocket. I guarantee two things will happen. First they will actually answer the phone and set a reasonable appointment. Second your overall level of service will go up exponentially.
I pay cash for my healthcare. I have regular insurance for the big stuff, but when it comes time to see about a little cough or sniffles or whatever, I pay cash and let them know when setting the appointment, which I usually do online. You know what: they are always smiles and spend whatever time I require. Because I am the one paying the bill, not some nebulous government or commercial entity that is just going to argue over whether they should have spent 5 or 6 minutes in diagnosis.
For the guy who asked about "bribing" the doc. I think you have the wrong perspective. It's called a tip, and it works wonders.