Midlands Faces Longest GP Appointment Waits in England

Residents in the Midlands are experiencing the longest waits for GP appointments in England, with nearly 100,000 people in Shropshire forced to wait over two weeks to see their doctor this year. This figure has more than doubled since 2020, highlighting a troubling trend in the region’s healthcare access.

Recent data shows that from January 2023, there were 92,236 appointments in Shropshire where patients waited longer than 28 days. This represents a staggering increase of 236% from the 27,482 long waits recorded five years ago. Such delays have prompted concerns among residents who are now facing a postcode lottery when it comes to healthcare access.

Government Measures and Local Reactions

The rise in appointment delays follows the government’s introduction of new regulations requiring GP surgeries to facilitate online booking of appointments during the day. Nonetheless, local MP Helen Morgan, representing North Shropshire, has criticized the government for inadequate action, calling the situation a “national crisis.”

Morgan expressed her frustration, stating, “Being crowned the worst area in the country for long appointment wait times will be a bitter pill to swallow for residents.” She believes that the normalization of long waits to see a GP is unacceptable. “Waiting weeks to see a doctor when you’re sick, worried, or in pain should be unheard of,” she emphasized.

In her advocacy for change, Morgan is proposing a 24/7 booking system through the NHS 111 service, which would guarantee patients a GP appointment within seven days, or 24 hours for urgent cases. Additionally, she is calling for a focused recruitment and retention initiative to add thousands of family doctors to the workforce.

Political Accountability and Future Steps

Morgan holds both the Conservative and Labour parties accountable for the current crisis in general practice. She argues that the Conservative government has failed the National Health Service (NHS), while the Labour Party is not offering viable solutions to the ongoing issues.

“The struggle to see a GP has been normalized – instead, it should be treated as a national crisis,” Morgan stated. With the alarming wait times affecting nearly 100,000 residents, the need for immediate action is becoming increasingly urgent.

The rising demand for GP services, particularly in rural areas like Shropshire, poses a significant challenge for the NHS. Without prompt intervention, the situation may worsen, leaving patients vulnerable and without timely medical care.