Sir Ed Davey says Tories have taken ‘rural communities for granted’ as he sets out ambitious plans for healthcare reform
The Liberal Democrats would force GPs to see every patient within a week, as they say NHS waiting times are a major factor putting voters off the Tories in their target seats.
The party also pledged to set up a 24/7 booking hotline, with a guarantee that patients can see their doctor face-to-face if they want to.
Patients in the South West have the worst GP waiting times in the country, according to House of Commons data, which says that over 650,000 people were left waiting over two weeks to see a doctor in September.
Sir Ed Davey said his party’s own research shows that voters, particularly in rural areas, are growing increasingly frustrated with the delays in the NHS.