Government accused of ‘not getting to grips with the crisis’ as six million a month give up GP visit

Almost six million people a month are giving up trying to see a GP due to long waits for an appointment, figures reveal.

Others are not seeking help because they are unable to get through to a receptionist or fear being a burden on the overloaded NHS.

A survey of 4,494 adults by the Office for National Statistics found that 43 per cent of those who required a GP appointment in the past month said it was ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to make one.

One in five adults – equivalent to 10million Britons – who needed to contact their surgery decided not to. Of these, 56 per cent (or 5.6million) blamed long waiting times for an appointment.

Another 26 per cent were unable to contact their surgery and 24 per cent were worried about being a burden on the NHS. 

Some 57 per cent of those who decided not to contact their GP chose to manage their condition themselves.

Another 22 per cent sought advice on the internet, 13 per cent asked friends or family for guidance and 5 per cent resorted to private treatment.

Dennis Reed, from Silver Voices, which campaigns for the elderly, said: ‘The Government is not getting to grips with the crisis over access to GPs. Browsing the internet instead of consulting a doctor can be very dangerous.’

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘We’re making real progress in getting patients to see their GP quickly with almost two million more GP appointments delivered compared to this time last year.

‘We’re also boosting the GP workforce, with hundreds more doctors in general practice than last year [and] record numbers in training.’