Waiting list targets

Around here they appear to have found the secret to hitting hospital waiting list targets. Instead of putting you on a waiting list they put you on their calendar to inform you that they are putting you on the waiting list at some time in the future.

They get round waiting times to see your GP by getting you to call first thing in the morning to see if your GP has a slot that he/she can see you in. If there isn't a slot for your GP they tell you to telephone the next day to see if there is one then. They will not put you on a waiting list. You can take pot luck and see a GP or locum that same day but that is no use if you have complicated health issues that only your normal GP knows about.