IT’S 8.30am and the queue is at least 15 deep snaking out of the door and on to the footpath.

The JobCentre you may ask? No, this is my doctor’s surgery with determined patients ready to do battle in a bid to be seen.

As my appointment was for an 8.30am blood test, I despaired that the one receptionist booking people in was going to get round to me much before 8.45am.

But, standing on my tiptoes to peer into the surgery around the cavalcade, no one appeared to be using the new and easy electronic checking in system.

So I raised my voice to ask the throng if no one was planning to use the machine was I ok to do so?

There were a few grunts but most of those outside let me past. Another woman in front said she would like to use it but didn’t know how. So I offered to show her.

Once inside however, it was clear there were a few of the flock who had a change of heart and were keen to get their hands on the new gadget. Fair enough, I’m no queue jumper, so I held back to let them.

But all was not as it should be. Oh no, shockingly many of those in rank didn’t even have appointments. Thankfully, when the receptionist shouted out ‘does anyone actually have an appointment?’, hallelujah, I stuck up my hand.

I might just make my slot after all and get to work on time.

Reports in the national news reveal that many family doctors think patients should be charged for appointments to deter the time-wasters.

They want the NHS to impose fees of between £5 and £25 per consultation.

I’ve no doubt that fees will discourage sick patients from going to their GP and in the long-run this could be more costly to the NHS.

Old people and those with existing illnesses would need to be exempt from any charges.

My GP surgery is incredibly busy and serves a big population. So quite why people queue up at 8.30am for emergency consultations I’ve no idea.

Why don’t they just call? It’s difficult to get through, but you just need to be persistent. No one without an appointment is going to get seen that early in the morning unless they’re dying.

So why clog up early morning surgery?

Frankly many of those waiting were older, probably retired folk who presumably have all day to see a doctor.

Why can’t there be some sort of early morning priority system for working people and those with children, who might need to see a GP but could then send ‘little Johnny’ off to school?

If I was retired I’m sure I’d have no wish to get out of bed to be at the doctor’s for 8.30am, but people like me have work commitments.

Really, there has to be a better way that an unseemly rugby scrum.

Until GPs do decide on whether to charge or not, I’m doing my best to stay healthy!