A ‘broken promise’ has seen 100,000 county patients left waiting over eight days to see a doctor.

That is according to research by the Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats.

Analysing NHS data, the party has found that nearly a third of residents had to wait at least eight days for a GP appointment in February, up nine per cent from the previous month.

Paul Hodgkinson, county councillor for Bourton and Northleach, blames the ‘crisis’ on the Conservative Party.

He said: “The Conservatives have broken their promise to recruit more GPs, leaving tens of thousands of Gloucestershire residents struggling to get an appointment when they need one.

“Desperate people are turning up at A&E instead, piling pressure on the NHS at a time it can least afford it.

“GPs and all practice staff work incredibly hard, yet years of neglect under this government have driven them into the ground, forcing huge numbers to consider leaving the profession because of burn-out.”

Parliamentary candidate for Cheltenham, Max Wilkinson, added: “These shocking figures reveal the impact that years of Conservative broken promises have had on GP services. 

“The local elections in May are a chance to send Boris Johnson a message that people are fed up of broken promises and being taken for granted.

“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats will help elect local champions who listen to their communities and stand up for our health services.”

The NHS figures show that 99,057 Gloucestershire residents had to wait over eight days before being able to see their family doctor.

This figure makes the county the worst performing area in the country, with the highest proportion (31.53%) of people waiting eight days or more.

However, Gloucestershire County Councillor Tim Harman, cabinet member for public health and communities, said the Conservative Party has made huge investments in the NHS locally.

He said: “Our GPs have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic battling many new and unexpected challenges.

“That is why the Conservatives are investing a record £36 billion into a ‘catch up programme’ to tackle NHS backlogs and reform Adult Social Care – which the Liberal Democrats voted against.

“Only the Conservatives will give our health and care services the funding and backing they need to ensure they deliver for local residents.”

Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group has also been contacted for a response.