Funding for GP services across Croydon’s local NHS area slashed in real terms since 2019

Four weeks waits for GP appointments across Croydon’s NHS area have increased 31% as real terms cuts to funding bite.

The House of Commons Library analysis commissioned by the Liberal Democrats looks at funding for General Practices over the past four years, once inflation is taken into account. It shows that funding per patient across our local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) area has fallen by 8%, with funding for GP practices in the South West London ICB having been slashed by £12,949,382 in real terms since 2019.

NHS data that measures the time between when the appointment was booked and when it took place showed that the number of appointments that saw patients wait two weeks or longer across South West London has spiked to 1,021,610 in 2023, up 8% from the previous year. Those waiting more than four weeks has increased by 31%, compared to 2022.

Croydon's Liberal Democrats are calling for patients to be given a legal right to see their GP within seven days, or 24-hours if in urgent need. This would be achieved by increasing the number of fully qualified GPs by 8,000 with an initiative to boost recruitment and retain more experienced doctors.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Croydon South, Richard Howard said:

“Families and pensioners across Croydon are currently struggling to see their GP despite being in need of medical advice. It is leaving people waiting in pain or simply anxious about not getting the care they need.

“It is not right that our community is suffering the consequences of this Conservative government’s neglect of local health services.

“Rishi Sunak and his failing government is totally out of touch with people’s concerns. Conservative MPs are too busy fighting amongst themselves to deliver the health services that we so desperately need.

“Seeing your GP should be at the heart of our NHS. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for a legal right to see a GP within seven days or 24-hours if in urgent need.”