Thousands of patients across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire are enduring prolonged waits—often exceeding a month—for crucial GP appointments, according to recent data. The growing crisis has prompted calls for a legal guarantee ensuring patients can see their family doctor within seven days, or within 24 hours for urgent cases.
Analysis from the NHS Integrated Care Board reveals that in October alone, 110,718 patients in the region waited over a month for a GP appointment—an alarming 179.56% increase since July 2024, when the current government took office.
Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, warns that this escalating backlog is forcing residents to “suffer in silence,” enduring pain and anxiety without timely medical attention. She emphasizes that unchecked symptoms and delayed care only intensify pressure on already overwhelmed emergency departments.
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In response, the Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a comprehensive healthcare rescue package. Central to the plan is the recruitment and retention of 8,000 additional doctors, designed to alleviate the burden on stretched GP services. The proposal also includes establishing dedicated funds to reopen surgeries in areas facing GP shortages, especially where there has been significant housing development increasing demand.
To improve accessibility, the plan advocates for around-the-clock appointment booking through the 111 service, allowing patients more flexibility in securing timely consultations.
Mrs. Hobhouse states, “It is unacceptable that over 100,000 people in our region had to wait more than a month for GP care. With every delay, people endure unnecessary suffering and risk worsening health conditions, while our emergency services face more strain. Bath residents deserve healthcare that is prompt, reliable, and compassionate.”