South Cotswolds MP Calls for Right to See a GP Within a Week After Shocking Rise in Appointment Delays
Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, Roz Savage, has renewed calls for a legal right to see a GP within a week - or within 24 hours for urgent cases - after new figures revealed the scale of the crisis facing local patients.
Last year, there were over half a million waits of a month or longer for GP appointments in both Gloucestershire and the wider Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area. In Gloucestershire alone, that figure rose by nearly 100,000 in a single year, jumping from 415,000 in 2023 to 514,000 in 2024. The number in BANES, Swindon and Wiltshire also soared, reaching 539,000 - an increase of 16%.
These month-long waits accounted for 11% of all GP appointments in Gloucestershire and over 8% in BANES, Swindon and Wiltshire. Even more common were waits of two weeks or more, which made up over a quarter of all appointments in some areas.
Roz said:
“Behind every one of these figures is a real person - a parent worried about their child, an older person struggling with pain, or someone putting off getting help because they simply can’t get an appointment. I’ve heard from residents across the South Cotswolds who are concerned about the delays they’ve faced, and the stress and anxiety it’s causing.”
“I want to thank everyone who’s taken the time to write to me and share their story. Your voices matter. If you or someone you know has struggled to get a GP appointment, please do get in touch by emailing roz.savage.mp@parliament.uk. Your experiences are helping to build the case for urgent action.”
Roz is calling for a new legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days, or 24 hours in urgent cases - a key Liberal Democrat policy aimed at easing the pressure on both primary care and overstretched A&E departments. Recent analysis has shown that delays in accessing a GP can lead more people to seek help at emergency departments instead, further straining the NHS.
Roz added:
“Local health services were already under enormous pressure after years of Conservative neglect. Now, we’re seeing inexcusable delays from the Labour government, which seems more focused on reviews and reports than real action. We need practical, urgent steps to get people the care they deserve - and that starts with the right to see a GP when you need one.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors: