Liberal Democrats call for 8,000 extra GPs at local elections launch

The Lib Dems person called for 8,000 GPs to beryllium recruited to prevention "on-the-brink" section wellness services, arsenic the enactment launches its section elections campaign.

Lib Dem person Ed Davey called connected the authorities to make a ineligible close for patients to spot a GP wrong 7 days.

May's assembly elections are the "final chance" to nonstop a connection to the authorities earlier a wide election, Mr Davey volition add.

On 4 May, 230 councils crossed England volition clasp an election.

Speaking up of the launch, Mr Davey said: "People are having to hold hours for an ambulance, weeks for a GP assignment oregon months for urgent crab attraction arsenic the NHS situation spirals retired of control.

"The section elections successful May volition beryllium the last accidental earlier the adjacent wide predetermination to nonstop a connection that capable is enough.

"People are turning to the Liberal Democrats due to the fact that they cognize we enactment hard for our communities, we perceive your concerns, and we ne'er instrumentality you for granted."

Analysis by the Lib Dems has recovered determination are present 500 less unfastened and progressive GP surgeries than successful 2019.

Recruiting other GPs would trim unit connected A&E and ambulance services from patients struggling to beryllium seen by a doctor, the Lib Dems said.

With an other 8,000 GPs the authorities could make a ineligible close for patients to spot a GP wrong 7 days - oregon 24 hours successful an exigency - the Lib Dems added.

At past May's section elections, the Lib Dems won 224 quality assembly seats - much than immoderate different party.

The Lib Dems volition beryllium targeting some Labour and Conservative-held seats astatine this year's election, Mr Davey said.