Gloucestershire patients are facing the longest waiting times in England to see their GP, according to new NHS data. Around 11% of GP appointments in March in Gloucestershire took place more than 28 days after booking, the highest ratio in the country. This means that one in 10 patients in some parts of the county have to wait over a month to see a doctor.
In comparison, in North Central London, only 1% of appointments in March took place more than 28 days after booking, highlighting a significant discrepancy in waiting times across the country.
The data revealed that more than 1.5 million appointments across England in March occurred more than four weeks after being booked, representing 5% of all appointments. While the NHS has seen an increase in the number of GP appointments, with 31.4 million in March, up 6.1% from the previous year, the disparities in waiting times persist.
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The NHS has emphasized the importance of digital access and online methods for contacting GP practices, acknowledging that these platforms provide more convenience for some patients. However, health officials recognize the need for further improvements to ensure easier access to local GPs, particularly through the use of new technology to enhance patient care.
Despite the challenges, the NHS highlights the efforts of GP teams in delivering 30 million appointments every month – an increase of almost a fifth since before the pandemic. The government has also been implementing reforms, such as enabling more patients to book appointments online and request to see the same doctor at every appointment, as part of its plan to address the issue and improve the healthcare system.
Overall, the NHS is dedicated to addressing the disparities in waiting times and ensuring that patients have timely access to primary care services.