Lib Dem Data Shows Dramatic Rise in Southport GP Waiting Times

New data from the Lib Dems reveals the worrying scale of wait times to see a Doctor in Southport.

The data shows that since January, 16,652 appointments have had waits of over 28 days, up from 10,165 at the same point five years ago, an increase of 64%. Waits of over two weeks have increased from 36398 in 2020 to 77153 this year, an increase of 112%

The Lib Dems have called for an emergency package to end the crisis, and for the Government to deliver a new right to a GP appointment within seven days, or 24 hours if urgent, by recruiting thousands of extra doctors. The emergency measures would include a strategic fund to reopen surgeries, dedicated local initiatives to ensure nowhere becomes a “GP desert”, and the introduction of a 24/7 GP booking system to end the “8am scramble”, with 111 call handlers trained to become GP receptionists. 

The House Of Commons Library research, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found that nationally, since Labour have been in power, patients have seen the highest number of two week and four week waits to see a GP since 2020. It follows previous record numbers of two and four week waits under the last Conservative government.

The data also found that there has been a 50% increase in patients waiting over 14 days for a GP appointment since the same period in 2020 across England, rising from 19.7 million appointments that took this long to 43 million appointments. There has been a 67% increase for those waiting over 28 days, from 5.8 million five years ago to 12.9 million today.

John Pugh, Leader of the Lib Dems on Sefton Council, said: “It’s depressing and worrying to see the scale of the increase in wait times for patients in Southport. The Conservatives completely failed our NHS, but Labour are just not providing any real answers to this ever-growing crisis. We need an end to the NHS being a political football and a collaborative effort to make sure people can access the treatment they need.”

Lynne Thompson, Lib Dem Cllr for Ainsdale, added: “Together with Liberal Democrat colleagues I am calling for an emergency package to save our GP services: with a dedicated fund to reopen surgeries, a 24/7 booking system via 111 and a recruitment and retention drive to secure thousands of extra family doctors. 

“The Government should deliver a right for every patient to be seen within seven days or 24 hours if urgent, so that no one is denied care when they need it."