Cumbria and North East sees nearly 50 per cent rise in patients waiting month to see GP

Patients could be “at risk” as lengthy delays to see a GP have risen significantly across the region.

Waits of longer than 28 days to see a GP increased from around 50 per cent least year, while waits of over two weeks rose by 25 per cent.

The Royal College of GPs warned of growing pressures and said doctors are as frustrated as patients when they are unable to deliver “timely” and “safe” care.

The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENCICB) says it has seen a significant increase in demand for GP appointments recently.

According to Louise Ansari, CEO at patient watchdog Healthwatch England, the situation in the region reflects a national problem, and she added that patients were being put at risk through difficulties accessing timely primary care.

She said that many were struggling to get through to their GP surgery at all, adding “GPs are a vital first port of call for people who need care.

“If people cannot get through to a GP, not only can their health and wellbeing be put at risk, but demand on already overstretched hospitals gets worse with people instead visiting A&E departments.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382