Patients in Somerset are falling victim to a GP postcode lottery as new analysis by the Liberal Democrats reveals a growing shortage of GPs.  

It comes as many people across Somerset are struggling to access an appointment with their GP, with services increasingly under pressure.

Figures show that Somerset has lost more than 50 GPs since 2016, leaving just one GP per 2,100 people. That's up by 420 patients per GP since 2016, one of the largest increases in the country.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for 8,000 new full-time equivalent GPs to be recruited to enable all patients to be given a legal right to see a GP within seven days, or within 24 hours if in urgent need. 

This would be achieved by recruiting and retaining 8,000 GPs, by increasing training places, incentivising GPs to stay in the service, and launching a campaign to encourage retired doctors to return to practice.

Liberal Democrat candidate for the Somerton and Frome by-election, Sarah Dyke said:  

"Health services should not be a postcode lottery, but this Conservative government has completely let down both doctors and patients, especially in rural areas like Somerset. 

"Across Somerton and Frome, people have been telling me that they're being forced to wait several weeks to get an appointment with their doctor. This isn't good enough.

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"Our hardworking GPs are stretched far too thin leading to critical diagnoses being missed. 

"Living in rural Somerset should not be a roadblock to critical medical care. People on Somerton and Frome deserve better and need to know that a GP appointment will be available when they need it." 

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:  "Communities across the country now have fewer GPs, all of whom are treating a growing number of patients. 

"For many people, especially those in rural areas like Somerset, it feels almost impossible to see your GP when you need to. 

"This ever-worsening GP shortage is having a terrible human cost, as people face delayed or missed diagnoses and A&Es fill up with desperate patients looking for treatment.

"People are fed up with this government failing to deliver on the basics as local health services are driven into the ground."