Well, Ummm, I drop notes in if there is a need. We have a very efficient surgery fortunately. Of course local people use the written word, phone messages can be lost or not passed on. This obviously happened in this case, unfortunately, but something concrete like a not at least should be safer than a phone message.
Hmmm.... also a bit iffy with the connections around here. We can book appointments on line, but word of mouth is better for other things; in fact I'm not sure how you would do a message. I do tend to phone - but if I'm around the surgery I leave a note and expect it to be passed through.... it always has been, so I reckon JJs surgery is sub-standard.