New data from the NHS has shown people are waiting longer for a GP appointment that at any times since when records began in 2017.
8,448 people in the Peterborough Parliamentary constituency faced a wait of more than two weeks to see a GP in October alone, with 2,788 having to wait more than 28 days.
Almost two million people in England had to wait more than 28 days in October, while a further 4.3 million had to wait more than two weeks. At the same time, the number of GPs has fallen to a record low, leaving patients in a desperate scramble to be seen. Since 2013, 4,600 GPs have been cut.
Labour would abolish the non-dom tax status, which allows some wealthy people who live in Britain to pay their taxes overseas, to pay for training a new generation of NHS staff. Labour’s plan would:
- Double the number of medical school places, training 15,000 new doctors a year
- Train 10,000 additional nurses and midwives every year
- Double the number of district nurses qualifying each year
- Train 5,000 new health visitors
Labour’s plan will see patients guaranteed a face-to-face appointment with a GP if they want one.
Labour is also pledging to bring back the family doctor, so patients can see the same GP each appointment if they choose to. Patients are increasingly unable to see the doctor of their choice, with two in every three patients rarely or never speaking to their preferred doctor, up from just half in 2018. Under Labour’s plans, GP practices will be provided with incentives to offer patients continuity of care, so doctors must take into account patients’ preferences
Andrew Pakes, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Peterborough said:
“Peterborough is being sold short by the Conservatives. Waiting lists are growing, ambulance crews are struggling, and people are finding it harder to see a GP.
“This is a winter crisis on the government’s watch. We need urgent action to help patients, support NHS staff and to get us the resources we need. I’ve heard from too many people about their worries about cancelled appointments and delays in treatment.
“Patients should be able to see the doctor they want, in the manner they choose, when they need to. Labour will put patients first and get them seen on time again.”
Wes Streeting MP, Shadow Health Secretary added:
“Patients in Peterborough are finding it impossible to see a GP when they need to. Among those thousands are waiting more than a month or not getting an appointment at all, there will be conditions going undiagnosed until it is too late.”