Five million patients a month in England waiting longer than fortnight to see GP

FIVE million patients were denied GP appointments every month last year, new figures show.

Since ministers promised two week wait times in September 2022, 97 million appointments have been postponed longer than a fortnight.

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Nearly 100 million appointments have been postponed longer than a fortnight[/caption]

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Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged investment and reform to get patients seen on time[/caption]

New analysis of NHS stats also show that on current trends, one in every six patients will be forced to suffer month long GP waits by 2029.

Labour last night vowed to “end the 8am scramble for on-the-day GP appointments” and bring back the family doctor, so patients can speak to the same face each time they’re sick.

The party also pledged to train thousands more GPs and update the NHS app so patients can book and rearrange appointments.

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Rishi Sunak doesn’t understand how bad things are in the NHS, nor does he have a plan for the NHS, because he doesn’t use the NHS.

“Rishi Sunak isn’t waiting a month for a GP appointment, so he doesn’t care that you are.

“Labour will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients seen on time again and bring back the family doctor.”