Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the new NHS England GP Patient Survey that shows 940,000 patients turned to A&E when they couldn’t get a GP appointment, said:

“David Cameron talks about the increase in A&E attendances as if it’s nothing to do with him, but these figures show he should take responsibility for driving people to A&E. He’s made it harder to get a GP appointment and it’s getting even worse, contributing to the current crisis in A&E.

“It is yet more proof that the NHS as we know it won’t survive another five years of David Cameron. The next Labour government will guarantee a GP appointment within 48 hours, or on the same day if you need it, and also give people the right to book further ahead with the GP of their choice. We will rescue the NHS with a £2.5 billion a year Time to Care fund - on top of Tory spending plans - to fund new staff, including 8,000 more GPs.“