Why does it sometimes take a long time before I get the assistant on the phone?

It can be very busy, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes all assistants are talking at the same time. You will then be put ‘on hold’. By preparing your conversation with the out-of-hours GP service, you help to keep waiting times short. For example, you can write down some details of the person you are calling for in advance (date of birth, name, insurance details, names of medicines used).