A BRADFORD doctor has urged the public not to blame GPs for the lack of medical appointments available.

Dr Amir Khan claims it is the government that is responsible for the lack of appointments available for patients to see GPs.

He spoke amid reports of patients calling the NHS 111 phoneline being left on hold for 20 times longer than the expected time.

 

Speaking on today’s Good Morning Britain, Dr Amir said: “We were promised 5,000 extra GPs by this government. That has not happened.

“I train GPs up. Normally I would be training one or two GPs up in a year, at the moment I have five GPs under my wing, which takes me off the frontline.

“If you're angry that you can't get an appointment with your GP, don't blame the GP, blame the government who is responsible for this crisis.

“Just like you wouldn’t blame hospital consultants if you had a six-month wait to see them.

“I get really cross when people blame GPs for the lack of appointments. We are working as hard as we can.”

Hospitals have been told by the head of the NHS to prepare health campaigns to help reduce pressure on A&E departments during the winter.

 

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