There were 10.3 million waits of four weeks or more for a GP appointment in the seven months to July, according to their analysis of NHS data.
That is 1.7 million higher than the same period last year when 8.6 million appointments had four-week waits.
If this year’s number continues as it is expected, it will beat last year’s record of 17.6 million four-week waits, Sky News reports.
Fixing the GP crisis is critical to saving our NHS. If people can get seen quicker, fewer will end up in hospital in the first place.
That’s better for them, better for the NHS and better for taxpayers. pic.twitter.com/LAbMCJ2NPk
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) September 16, 2024
In some areas, NHS data shows almost one in 10 GP appointments have seen four-week or more waits so far this year.
NHS cannot ‘withstand current approach to funding’
The Lib Dems are demanding the government increase funding for the NHS, including GP services when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces her autumn budget on October 30.
However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this week the NHS would not get any more funding without reforming as he laid out a 10-year plan to fix the health service.
Leader of the Lib Dems, Sir Ed Davey, told Sky News the NHS cannot “withstand that approach”.
He added: “Everyone should be able to see a doctor when they need one, but the Conservative Party broke the NHS so badly that millions of people are waiting weeks for an appointment.
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“That’s why Liberal Democrats are campaigning for everyone to have the right to see a GP within seven days, or 24 hours if it’s urgent, and we are urging the Government to boost GP numbers to make it happen.
“Fixing the GP crisis is critical to saving our NHS. If people can get seen quicker, fewer will end up in hospital in the first place. That’s better for them, better for the NHS and better for taxpayers.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is broken. These findings show how much general practice has been neglected.
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“This government will fix this by shifting the focus of healthcare out of the hospital and into the community.
“We have committed to hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS by the end of this year. In addition, we have provided a further £311 million towards GP contract funding in 24/25 – an uplift of 7.4%.
“We will also ensure that GPs have the resources they need to offer patients the highest quality care.”
