'10 days to save NHS' call as 1 in 4 have queued outside to see GP or dentist

23 June 2024 , 23:01

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Poll follows scenes in Bristol earlier this year where hundreds waited outside of a newly opened dental practice (Image: Tom Wren SWNS Tom Wren / SWNS)

Almost a quarter of people have queued outside a GP or dentist to get an appointment in the past year, according to a damning new poll.

The survey shows some people even waited more than three hours in a queue to access the vital services stretched to breaking point. The shocking findings today come as both the Liberal Democrats and Labour warn next week's General Election is the last chance to save the NHS.

The survey by pollsters Savanta for the Liberal Democrats shows a staggering 24% said they had queued outside a GP or dentist in the past 12 months. Londoners were among the most likely to queue, with four in 10 (41%) saying they had waited outside to get an appointment, according to the polling figures.

It also shows that of the people who waited outside, 34% of them said they had waited between one to three hours and 8% said they had waited over three hours. The findings follow scenes in Bristol earlier this year where hundreds waited outside of a newly opened dental practice.

The Mirror has launched the Dentists for All campaign demanding NHS dentistry is rescued. Our online petition has now reached over 222,000 signatures.

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In a stark warning ahead of next week's General Election, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: "There are now ten days left to save the NHS. This election is a chance to bring an end to the shocking scenes of people having to wait hours outside in the cold just to get a GP appointment."

He added: “Years of chaos and neglect under the Conservatives have made it almost impossible to see a GP or dentist when you need to.

Labour also claimed on Sunday that the NHS performed 6million fewer check-ups and 2million fewer fillings than promised last year. Today Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting will accuse the Tories of wanting to kill off NHS dentistry after the election.

He said: “It’s virtually impossible to get a dentist appointment after 14 years of Conservative neglect. People are resorting to pulling their own teeth out- DIY dentistry should be the stuff of Charles Dickens’ books, not Britain in 2024. The Conservatives have taken NHS dentistry to death’s door and given another five years in charge, they will kill it off."

Ashley Cowburn