Cambridgeshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs have warned of a growing “GP crisis” as new figures show local patients waiting longer than ever for appointments.
Since January, 278,534 appointments in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have had waits of more than 28 days – up 169% in five years. Waits of over two weeks have also soared 153%, from 337,347 in 2020 to 854,792 this year.
Local MPs Ian Sollom, Charlotte Cane and Pippa Heylings are calling for an “emergency package” and “fairer funding to save the family doctor.”
“Patients here in Cambridgeshire are finding it really difficult to get a GP appointment and we are deeply concerned that they are having to wait such a long time to see their doctor,” they said.
“The Conservatives completely failed our NHS, and Labour are not providing any real answers to this ever-growing crisis. Our GPs already do fantastic work with the funding they receive, but they need stability and support – we have to take care of those who take care of us.”
The MPs are urging government to back a dedicated fund to reopen surgeries, recruit thousands of extra family doctors, and prevent local areas from becoming “GP deserts.”
