GP waiting times soar across Kent

Patients in some parts of the Kent are three times more likely to have to wait at least a fortnight to see their GP, NHS Digital figures reveal.

22.97% of patients registered with GP’s in the Swale CCG area were unable to see their GP within two weeks during December, the statistics released on Thursday 7th Feb showed.

Compare that with 7.55% of patients having to wait more than 14 days to see their GP in the NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG.

23,757 patients were having to wait more than 28 days to see a GP in any of the areas covered by the CCG’s in Kent. In total more than 84,591 patients had to wait more than 14 days to see a GP.

The total number of appointments was 469,026 and the amount of same day appointments offered was 211,527, or 45%, meaning 55% of patient could not get a same day appointment.

With the desire to build more houses in Kent, and a dwindling stock of GP’s due to retirement, things do not look set to improve any time soon. The £20,000 golden hello’s for GP’s to move to rural practices in Kent, has not taken off as the government and the CGG’s leaders had hoped. And neither do we know how many International GP’s were recruited to Kent & Medway during the interviews in late November, with a very lucrative package on offer, which took place in Maidstone.

We do not see this issue as one which will get better, not with all the development the Government and Councils, via their local plans, wish to hoist onto our communities. The system is more than creaking, it is buckling. How long before it breaks all together is anybody’s guess.

The Shepwayvox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime