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Liberal Democrats call for 8,000 extra GPs at local elections launch | Liberal Democrats call for 8,000 extra GPs at local elections launch |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The Lib Dems have called for 8,000 GPs to be recruited to save "on-the-brink" local health services, as the party launches its local elections campaign. | The Lib Dems have called for 8,000 GPs to be recruited to save "on-the-brink" local health services, as the party launches its local elections campaign. |
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on the government to create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days. | Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on the government to create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days. |
May's council elections are the "final chance" to send a message to the government before a general election, Mr Davey will add. | May's council elections are the "final chance" to send a message to the government before a general election, Mr Davey will add. |
On 4 May, 230 councils across England will hold an election. | On 4 May, 230 councils across England will hold an election. |
Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Davey said: "People are having to wait hours for an ambulance, weeks for a GP appointment or months for urgent cancer treatment as the NHS crisis spirals out of control. | Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Davey said: "People are having to wait hours for an ambulance, weeks for a GP appointment or months for urgent cancer treatment as the NHS crisis spirals out of control. |
"The local elections in May will be the final chance before the next general election to send a message that enough is enough. | "The local elections in May will be the final chance before the next general election to send a message that enough is enough. |
"People are turning to the Liberal Democrats because they know we work hard for our communities, we hear your concerns, and we never take you for granted." | "People are turning to the Liberal Democrats because they know we work hard for our communities, we hear your concerns, and we never take you for granted." |
Is there an election in my area? | Is there an election in my area? |
Why do you now need photo ID to vote? | Why do you now need photo ID to vote? |
Analysis by the Lib Dems has found there are now 500 fewer open and active GP surgeries than in 2019. | Analysis by the Lib Dems has found there are now 500 fewer open and active GP surgeries than in 2019. |
Recruiting extra GPs would reduce pressure on A&E and ambulance services from patients struggling to be seen by a doctor, the Lib Dems said. | Recruiting extra GPs would reduce pressure on A&E and ambulance services from patients struggling to be seen by a doctor, the Lib Dems said. |
With an extra 8,000 GPs the government could create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days - or 24 hours in an emergency - the Lib Dems added. | With an extra 8,000 GPs the government could create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days - or 24 hours in an emergency - the Lib Dems added. |
Sir Ed said recruiting more GPs would take time but it would be possible to achieve the target over four years. | |
He told BBC Breakfast there also needed to be efforts to retain more GPs and persuade those who have retired or left the health service to return. | |
The Lib Dem leader added that allowing community pharmacists to take on tasks like repeat prescriptions would free up GP time and reduce their workload. | |
At last May's local elections, the Lib Dems won 224 news council seats - more than any other party. | At last May's local elections, the Lib Dems won 224 news council seats - more than any other party. |
The Lib Dems will be targeting both Labour and Conservative-held seats at this year's election, Mr Davey said. | The Lib Dems will be targeting both Labour and Conservative-held seats at this year's election, Mr Davey said. |