3,000 patients wait a month for GP appointment in Dagenham and Rainham

GP numbers are reportedly at a record low 

New data from the NHS shows 3,138 people had to wait a month or more for a GP appointment in Dagenham and Rainham in October.

The statistics revealed that a further 8,644 patients were left waiting more than two weeks.

Margaret Mullane, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the area, has blamed the government for failing to train enough new doctors.

GP numbers are reportedly at a record low, with 4,600 being cut since 2013.

“Local people across Dagenham & Rainham are finding it impossible to see a GP when they need to, with thousands waiting more than a month or not getting an appointment at all,” said Mullane.

“We are told that poor health outcomes are inevitable in areas like ours, but it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Cllr Margaret Mullane (credit: LBBD)

Mullane explained that her party would abolish non-dom tax status to pay for thousands of new doctors, nurses and midwives. The status allows wealthy people who live in Britain to pay their taxes overseas.

Labour claims its plan would double the number of medical school places, training 15,000 new doctors a year alongside 10,000 additional nurses and midwives.

Mullane added: “12 years of Conservative failure to train the staff our NHS needs has left it with thousands fewer GPs, and Dagenham & Rainham is paying the price. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are protecting the non-dom tax status, allowing people who live in Britain to pay their taxes overseas. We need doctors and nurses, not non-doms.

“Patients in Dagenham & Rainham should be able to see the doctor they want, in the manner they choose, when they need to. As part of a Labour government, I will put patients first and get them seen on time again.”

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