Revealed: 30,000 Morecambe Bay patients waited over two weeks for GP appointment in September

More than 30,000 patients across Morecambe Bay waited more than 2 weeks to see a GP in September, new research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed .

This made up nearly 19% of all GP appointments, up from the 11% of patients who waited more than two weeks to see their doctor in January.

Across the country, over 5 million people waited more than two weeks for a GP appointment in September, making up 17.9% of all GP visits.

Tim has said the "alarming figures" show that patients in South Cumbria are being let down.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats have set out plans for patients to have a right to see their GP within a week, or within 24 hours if in urgent need.

The policy would enshrine this right in the NHS Constitution, putting a duty on the government and health service to make sure it happens. It would be achieved by increasing the number of GPs, fixing pension rules to prevent so many doctors retiring

early, and increasing the number of nurses and pharmacists fully qualified to prescribe day to day medicines.

Tim said: "These alarming figures show our local health service is being driven into the ground under this Conservative government.

"Behind these statistics are so many people and families in Cumbria anxiously waiting for an appointment for worrying symptoms. Many are being seen far, far too late.

"I am proud that Liberal Democrats have put forward a credible plan to ensure everyone is seen by a GP within one week. It should be implemented with urgency to save our local health service and finally give people in Cumbria a fair deal.

"Every day the government's promises become more and more hollow. The sad truth is they're disinterested in our NHS, and refuse to take action to pull it back from the brink.

"People here in Cumbria will pay the price if this government continues to take us for granted and sit on their hands."