Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to four in ten GPs predicting the average appointment waiting time will exceed two weeks by next year, said:

“David Cameron is making it harder and harder to get a GP appointment. Patients are ringing the surgery early in the morning only to be told there is nothing available.

“Labour will invest in GP surgeries and give people the right to an appointment within 48 hours and on the same day for those who need it. We will also give people the right to book more than 48 hours ahead with the GP they want to see.

“Within weeks of taking office, David Cameron removed Labour’s guarantee of a GP appointment within 48 hours. This why he’s lost people’s trust on the NHS.”