Lib Dems call for a return to “proper local health services” as figures show surge in patients per GP in Brentwood & Basildon
The Liberal Democrats have called for a return to proper local health services, after new figures revealed a fall in the number of GPs in Brentwood & Basildon while patient numbers rise. The analysis shows that there are now an eye-watering 2,601 patients for every GP in Brentwood & Basildon This is up by 18% since 2016. At the last election, the Conservative party promised to recruit more GPs. However, today's analysis reveals there are now almost 2,000 fewer fully qualified GPs in England compared to 2016. The number of GPs has fallen by 14 GPs in Brentwood & Basildon over the same time period. Separate figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have found that there are 547 fewer GP surgeries in England compared to 2019. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey launched the party's local election campaign this week with a pledge to recruit more GPs and give patients a legal right to see a GP within 7 days, or 24 hours in an emergency. This would be achieved through increasing training places for GPs, a