Newly analysed NHS data has exposed a significant deterioration in access to family doctors, with hundreds of thousands more patients across England now facing waits of over a month to see a GP since the Labour government came to power.
A Damning Surge in Long Waits
The figures, scrutinised by the Liberal Democrats, show that during the autumn months of September, October, and November, a total of 7.6 million patients experienced a delay of more than four weeks for an appointment. This marks an increase of 312,112 people, or 4.2 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024.
This troubling trend means one in every thirteen GP appointments (7.5 per cent) now involves a wait exceeding four weeks. Furthermore, one in every five consultations (20.9 per cent) takes place at least a fortnight after the booking was made.
Regional Breakdown and Political Reaction
The crisis is nationwide, with every English region recording a notable increase in both two-week and four-week waits since July of last year. The South West has been hit hardest, suffering a 23.7 per cent rise, equating to 53,000 additional patients waiting over four weeks.
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, condemned the statistics as evidence of a 'damning failure' by the Labour administration. 'Nobody should be forced to wait over a month to see their GP,' she stated, highlighting that millions are left 'anxiously, in pain or needing treatment.'
The party is demanding an urgent 'rescue package' for general practice, centred on a new legal right for patients to be seen within seven days, or 24 hours for urgent needs.
Government Defence and Broader Context
In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care argued the data was being 'misrepresented'. They clarified that the figures include pre-planned follow-ups and long-term condition reviews, which are often scheduled well in advance for patient convenience.
The department pointed to its record, citing an extra £1.1 billion invested in primary care, the recruitment of 2,500 more GPs, and a halving of bureaucratic targets. They noted that GP teams delivered 6.5 million more appointments in the last year, with patient satisfaction improving after a decade of decline.
However, campaigners like Dennis Reed of Silver Voices, which represents older patients, said the figures 'brutally expose' claims of improvement. He reiterated calls for a legal right to a timely appointment, warning that many elderly people now find it 'almost impossible' to see a doctor.
The data for November alone shows 1,770,148 people waited over a month, a rise of 246,625 since Labour entered government, underscoring the persistent pressure on frontline NHS services.
