Struggling to See a Doctor? Avoid the GP Queue or A&E Wait with Same-Day GP Appointments
Across the UK, more and more patients are turning up at A&E - not with life-threatening emergencies, but with everyday health concerns that would normally be seen by a GP. The problem? They can’t get a timely appointment.
As NHS clinicians, we see the impact of this every day. That’s why at Oving Medical Clinic we’re offering a practical solution: convenient, same-day GP appointments, designed to relieve pressure on the NHS and get patients the care they need — without the wait, and without the stress.
The Root Problem: A GP System Under Pressure
This is not the GPs’ fault - it’s a symptom of a much deeper issue with years of insufficient funding (still falling) and poor systematic planning leading to a lack of nationwide GP provision and an increasing difficulty of accessing timely GP care through the NHS.
In recent years, general practice has faced mounting pressure creating a situation where even routine appointments are hard to come by. According to the British Medical Association, England is short of thousands of full-time GPs, and demand is growing every year.
A 2023 BBC report found that patients across the country are being left with no available appointments for days or even weeks, pushing them to seek help elsewhere. Increasingly, patients are even told to go to A&E by GP practices and 111 - not because it’s the right place for their condition, but because it’s the only place left that’s open and staffed.
The result? As The Guardian reported, A&E departments are seeing record levels of attendance, leading to longer waits, increased stress on frontline NHS staff, and reduced capacity to treat genuine emergencies.
You can also see this trend reflected in NHS England’s own data, which shows rising A&E waiting times and more patients spending over 4 hours waiting to be seen.
The Human Cost
When people can’t access primary care, it doesn’t just burden the system - it puts their health at risk. Minor conditions go untreated. Long-term conditions flare up. Anxiety rises. Patients are left to navigate the system on their own.
Dr Pete Morgan works in A&E and UTC - he shares his direct experience:
"I see people every day in A+E and UTC because they’ve run out of options. It’s hard to tell someone they shouldn’t be in A+E when there’s nowhere else for them to turn. Same-day GP appointments at Oving Medical Clinic offer a convenient and relaxed option for patients, providing the right care at the right time, before issues escalate and emergency care becomes the only option.”
The Solution: Same-Day GP Appointments at Oving Medical Clinic
At Oving Medical Clinic, you can see our Urgent Care GPs in same-day private doctors appointments - getting expert care without the long wait, and without needing to visit A&E.
Whether you’re dealing with an infection, sudden symptoms, a flare-up of a long-term condition or just need advice, we’re here to help – conveniently.
Same-day appointments help to:
- Reduce pressure on local A&E departments
- Prevent minor issues from becoming more serious
- Give patients control and peace of mind
- Support overstretched NHS systems by offering an alternative
Putting Patients First
You shouldn’t have to choose between waiting weeks for a GP or sitting for hours in a crowded emergency department. We’re here to provide a third option - timely, personal, private healthcare when you need it.
Need to see a doctor today?
Are you in need of a private GP appointment in Chichester or West Sussex? at Oving Medical Clinic we’re here to help - on your watch.
Book an appointment online or call 01243 773167 to speak with our friendly reception team.