I have recently been contacted by a resident in Fleetwood who has contacted her local GP surgery for support with perimenopausal symptoms who was given an appointment for the 30^th May – 70 days away!

Just last week I met with regional GPs who told me 10 practices are at immediate risk of closure and over 100 face financial stress either in terms of increased costs and the inability to afford staff.

In 2015 the then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt promised an extra 5,000 GPs, and in 2019 Boris Johnson promised an extra 6,000 GPs. Instead, the number of GPs, according to recent figures, has gone down since 2015.

The Conservatives have overseen the loss of 4,000 GPs and nearly 1,800 practice closures. Under the last Labour Government, you could see your GP in 2 days – and get an NHS dentist!

Primary care is in crisis. We need to end the 8am scramble for GP appointments, and a return of the family doctor by cutting red tape – and in good time without unacceptable 70-day waits like this.

Today I wrote to the Health Secretary to ask why she believes 70 day waits for primary care appointments is acceptable.