The NHS GP waiting lists have skyrocketed under Labour, despite the Health Secretary's pledge to address the crisis. This year's autumn marked the worst on record, with over seven million patients facing waits of four weeks or more for a GP appointment. This figure has risen by over two million since 2022, and in October 2025, 4.1 million patients were waiting a month or more, a six percent increase from last year. The South West of England was the most affected area, with a 24 percent increase compared to last July. This trend has continued, with November seeing 1.8 million patients waiting, still a rise of over 250,000 since Labour took office. The service has faced additional challenges, including resident doctor strikes and a severe flu season. Despite these issues, the Health Secretary celebrated the service's 'record-breaking' year in July, claiming 383 million appointments had been delivered. However, the numbers paint a different picture, with the Liberal Democrats arguing that waiting times have worsened under Labour. Age UK's Caroline Abrahams expressed concern that the elderly will be at further risk, and 'would simply give up' on going for check-ups. The Health Secretary's claims of improved patient satisfaction and investment in primary care are disputed by the newly-released figures, which highlight the ongoing crisis in GP waiting lists.
