Lib Dems demand right to see a GP in 7 days as waiting times in the South West spiral

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a new legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days, as figures show a sharp rise in waiting times for appointments across the South West.

The party says more than 700,000 patients in the region waited over a month to see a GP in October, according to its analysis of NHS data. That represents an increase of more than 200% compared with July 2024, when the Labour government took office.

Caroline Voaden, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, said the delays were leaving people “suffering in silence” and were putting additional pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments.

She said: “It is a disgrace that nearly three quarters of a million people in the South West had to wait over a month for a GP appointment. These aren’t just numbers – they are people left in pain or anxiety while vital symptoms go unchecked.”

The Liberal Democrats say their proposed “GP rescue package” would introduce a legal right to see a GP within seven days, or within 24 hours for urgent cases. The party says this would be achieved by recruiting and retaining an additional 8,000 doctors.

The proposals also include a dedicated fund to open new GP surgeries in areas that have lost practices or seen significant housing development, as well as allowing patients to book GP appointments 24 hours a day through NHS 111.

Voaden criticised the government’s record on the NHS, saying: “Labour came into office promising change. But when it comes to our health service, they are offering more of the same.”

The government has previously said it is committed to improving access to primary care and reducing pressure on GP services, as part of its wider NHS reform plans.