New research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed over 800,000 GP appointments in Milton Keynes lasted less than 5 minutes.
Almost 20% of all GP appointments in Milton Keynes from March last year and February this year lasted 5 minutes or less.
The Lib Dems warned that the Government’s failure to recruit more GPs has meant patients are “waiting for weeks to get an appointment only to be rushed through in a matter of minutes.”
Nationally, the figures show that on average, almost 1 in 6 GP appointments in England in the past year lasted less than 5 minutes.
The Lib Dems are calling on the Government to recruit 8,000 more GPs and have set out plans to give patients a legal right to see a GP within 7 days.
Councillor Jane Carr, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“Patients across the city need time to properly talk through their symptoms with a GP, discussing health issues isn’t always easy and they should feel they can do this without being rushed through the appointment.
“All GPs are incredibly hardworking, but the Government’s failure to recruit the extra GPs they promised has meant doctors are being forced to cram in more and more short appointments to keep up with the demand. People are being left waiting weeks to get an appointment only to be rushed through in a matter of minutes.”
Earlier this month figures revealed that there are 2,720 patients for every GP across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
Lib Dem Leader and Deputy Leader of the City Council, Councillor Robin Bradburn added:
“Entire communities are paying the price for years of neglect under the Conservatives, who have driven local health services into the ground. We listen and care for the people of Milton Keynes and that’s why we will continue to campaign for better local health services.”