Long wait times for general practitioner (GP) appointments have significantly increased under the current Labour government, with recent figures revealing a substantial rise in patients waiting over a month to be seen. Across September, October, and November, a total of 7.6 million patients experienced delays exceeding four weeks, marking an increase of 312,112 (4.2 percent) compared to the same period in the previous year. This means that one in every 13 appointments (7.5 percent) involved a wait of this duration, while one in five (20.9 percent) took place at least two weeks after being booked.

The Liberal Democrats, who analyzed the NHS England data, have branded these figures a 'damning failure' by the Labour government to enhance access to healthcare. The party described the situation as a 'crisis' and is advocating for a comprehensive GP 'rescue package' that would guarantee patients the right to see a GP within seven days, or 24 hours if their condition is urgent. They highlight that difficulties in securing appointments are leading to patient anxiety, prolonged pain, and an increased reliance on already 'overwhelmed' Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments.

Further data indicates that 1,770,148 people waited over a month for a GP appointment in November alone, which is 246,625 higher than when Labour assumed office in July last year. This follows the worst October on record for month-long waits. Every region in England has reported a considerable increase in patients waiting over two and four weeks for appointments since Labour took power, with the South West being the most severely affected area, showing an increase of 53,000 more patients (23.7 percent) waiting over four weeks.

While in opposition, Health Secretary Wes Streeting deemed waits of two weeks or more to see a family doctor as 'unacceptable.' However, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) offers a counter-narrative, stating that these figures may be misrepresented as requests for urgent appointments. They clarify that the data includes long-term condition reviews and follow-up appointments, which are often booked well in advance to suit patient convenience. The DHSC also notes that the overall number of GP appointments has increased, and the percentage occurring at two and four weeks remains largely stable year-on-year.

The government defends its actions by citing an investment of an additional £1.1 billion into primary care over the past 16 months, the recruitment of 2,500 new GPs, and a reduction in targets to allow GPs more time for patient care. As a result, they claim patient satisfaction with general practice has improved after a decade of decline, with GP teams delivering 6.5 million more appointments in the last 12 months, increasing from 378.2 million to 384.7 million, with 2025 anticipated to be a record year for appointments.

Beyond GP services, the broader NHS infrastructure is also showing signs of strain. Recent data revealed a record 57 A&E arrivals were diverted to other hospitals in a single week, and November recorded the highest-ever number of A&E attendances, with over 75,000 people rushing to emergency departments daily. Yet, only seven in ten patients were seen within the four-hour NHS target. Furthermore, a severe lack of NHS dentists is forcing patients to resort to self-extraction, travel extensive distances for care, or call the NHS 111 helpline in desperation. Cancer patients are increasingly seeking private treatment, with over 18,500 privately funded chemotherapy appointments between April and June this year (a 1.7 percent increase from 2024), as the NHS continues to miss its two main cancer targets, with only two-thirds of patients receiving a diagnosis and first treatment within 62 days after an urgent referral.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, an advocacy group for elderly patients, emphasizes that these findings underscore the critical need for a legal right to a timely doctor's appointment. He argues that Labour should be 'thoroughly ashamed' of these figures, which expose the claims by Wes Streeting that the NHS has turned a corner and is improving. Reed points out that many older patients struggle to see a doctor and often have to rely on less qualified staff for initial diagnoses, warning of severe consequences, including patients dying or needing emergency services before finally seeing a GP.