Record four-week waits for GP appointments predicted this year
Lib Dems urge more NHS funding as GP wait times surge
New data reveals a record number of patients will face four-week waits for GP appointments this year. Analysis of NHS data by the Liberal Democrats indicates there were 10.3 million waits of four weeks or more in the first seven months of this year. This marks an increase of 1.7 million from the same period last year, which saw 8.6 million such waits. If the trend continues, it will surpass last year’s record of 17.6 million four-week waits.
In some regions, nearly one in 10 GP appointments have already experienced four-week or longer waits. Gloucestershire reports the highest rate, with 10.1% of appointments in this category. Derby, Derbyshire and Glossop, Dorset, and Chorley and South Ribble all have over 9% of patients waiting more than four weeks for a GP appointment. This is almost double the national average of 5%.
The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to increase NHS funding, including for GP services, when the chancellor announces the autumn budget on 30 October. Sir Keir Starmer, however, stated earlier this week that the NHS would not receive additional funding without significant reforms, proposing a 10-year plan to improve the health service.
🇬🇧 1 In 10 Face Four-Week Wait To See Their GP
▫Region 'among worst hit' as Lib Dems Call for more funds
▫@RalphBlackburn#frontpagestoday #UK @yorkshirepost 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/S2wmSCjJ6A— 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝙿𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢 📰 (@ukpapers) September 16, 2024
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey emphasised the need for both investment and reform in the NHS. He criticised the Conservatives for failing to reform social care and accused Labour of not addressing the issue adequately. The Liberal Democrats propose giving everyone the legal right to a GP appointment within a week, or 24 hours if urgent. Implementing this would require an additional 8,000 GPs.
Sir Ed stated that the Conservative Party’s handling of the NHS has led to millions of people waiting weeks for appointments. He highlighted the importance of resolving the GP crisis to prevent hospital admissions, benefiting patients, the NHS, and taxpayers.
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper is expected to address the NHS in her keynote speech at the party conference on Monday. She will stress the impact of long waiting lists on people’s lives and the importance of reliable health and care services in a liberal society.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the findings, stating that the NHS is broken and that general practice has been neglected. The government aims to address this by shifting healthcare focus from hospitals to the community. They have committed to hiring an additional 1,000 GPs by the end of the year and have allocated £311 million towards GP contract funding in 2024/25, a 7.4% increase. The aim is to ensure GPs have the resources needed to provide high-quality care to patients.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Yahoo News reports that four-week waits for GP appointments might set a new record high, with 10.3 million such waits in seven months, prompting Liberal Democrats to campaign for seven-day appointments. (Read more)
- Yahoo News UK highlights significant increases in four-week GP appointment waits, emphasizing urgent need for better access, with Liberal Democrats advocating for a right to a GP within seven days. (Read more)
- The Independent reports a record number of GP appointments with four-week waits, highlighting the Liberal Democrats’ push for a seven-day GP access right amidst Conservative government neglect and rising demand.
Key points include:
– The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a legal right to see a GP within seven days or 24 hours if urgent.
– NHS data shows 10.3 million four-week waits for GP appointments in the seven months to July 2024.
– The party leader, Sir Ed Davey, criticizes the Conservative government for neglecting the NHS, leading to prolonged waits.
– NHS England acknowledges high demand and is working to improve access, including hiring more GPs and enhancing online booking systems.This scenario underscores the urgent need for primary care reform and increased resources to address the escalating healthcare crisis in the UK. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why are GP appointment wait times so long this year?
10.3 million GP appointments had four-week waits in the first seven months of 2023, 1.7 million more than last year.
Which area in the UK has the highest four-week GP appointment wait times?
Gloucestershire has the highest proportion, with 10.1% of appointments having four-week waits.
What do the Liberal Democrats propose to fix the GP appointment crisis?
They propose a legal right to a GP appointment within a week, or 24 hours if urgent, requiring 8,000 additional GPs.
What is the national average for four-week GP appointment waits?
The national average is nearly 5%.
How much additional funding has the government committed to GP contract funding for 2024/25?
The government has committed a further £311 million, an uplift of 7.4%.
