Millions of people waiting over a month for GP appointments new survey claims ... trends now
Millions of Brits are waiting more than a month to see their GP, as shocking new data uncovers the scale of the nation's health crisis.
The latest NHS statistics showed almost 15 million people across England booked in to see their GPs in January.
But staggeringly, 1.6 million appointments - almost one in 10 - took place more than 28 days after being booked, with a further 1.4 million taking place between 22 and 28 days.
News of the latest figures come amid stark warnings from health chiefs that the NHS is in crisis, with more people waiting longer than ever before to see a doctor.
The situation is so dire, some patients are in so desperate they have reportedly been heading to overstretched A&E departments in hope of being treated - or are giving up entirely and paying privately, as waiting times soar to record highs.
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The latest figures show the areas where the most patients have had to wait more than 28 days for a GP appointment in England
Staggeringly, 1.6 million appointments took place more than 28 days after being booked - with a further 1.4 million taking place between 22 and 28 days after being (file picture)
The NHS said the latest GP waiting data included a number of routine or scheduled appointments, which are deliberately made in advance. However, it's not known how many of these make up the statistics.
Analysis of the latest information from England’s 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICB) on GP appointments has revealed the places in England with the most people waiting four weeks or more to see a doctor.
Topping the list in January was London, where more than 100,000 people in the capital had to wait more than 28 days. While those waiting between three and four weeks has topped 131,000.
A close second was NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which covers 2.4 million people in communities like Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield. Almost 100,000 people (99,929) waited at least 28 days for a GP.
North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which boasts on its website about 'consistently' being 'rated amongst the best in the country', is the third worst in England for GP waiting times, with a backlog of 97,536 waiting 28 days or more.
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, which covers Manchester, Rochdale, Wigan, Bolton and Stockport, had 70,362 patients on its month-long waiting list.
While on the south-coast, NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board, had the fifth highest backlog in England, with 69,808.
The situation comes as health chiefs from the British Medical Association (BMA) warned waiting times across the NHS have 'rocketed'.
MailOnline analysis previously revealed the 10 GP practices with the highest patient to GP ratios in all of England
The struggle to see a GP is the latest crisis to hit the NHS, which has previously seen scores of junior doctors going on strikes (pictured is a strike action on February 28)
'The combination of ongoing pressure on services, the backlog of care and chronic workforce shortages means waiting times have increased to record highs,' the BMA said.
The total number of patients waiting more than 12 hours for an emergency admission decreased by around 18 per cent, from about 54,000 in January 2024 to approximately 44,000 in February 2024, the BMA said.
