Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the publication of NHS England’s annual survey of 900,000 patients on GP services, said:

“This survey confirms what Labour has been saying - that it is getting harder to get a GP appointment under David Cameron and there is growing public dissatisfaction with GP services. People are waiting days and even weeks for appointments and that is forcing people in to A&E in record numbers.

“GP services are under intense pressure - it is a mess of Ministers’ making. But instead of supporting GPs, they propose to ‘name-and-shame’ to deflect blame from their own failings. No wonder GPs are so utterly demoralised with many opting to leave the profession.

“Under the last Labour Government, the vast majority of people could see a GP within 48 hours. Within days of taking office, David Cameron scrapped Labour’s guarantee of an appointment within 48 hours. Now, more and more people are having to wait longer to get a GP appointment. It is a mess of his making and is simply not good enough.

“Labour will scrap Cameron’s NHS market and invest the savings in helping patients get a GP appointment when they need one. We will also give people the right to book ahead with the GP of their choice.

“While the Government tries to claim that everything is fine, people know from their own experience that the NHS is heading downhill under this Government. The gap between David Cameron’s spin and the reality gets bigger by the day. This is why people do not trust him or the Tories with the NHS.”