Liberal Democrats call for a return to proper local health services, after new figures revealed a fall in the number of GPs in East and SE Staffordshire* whilst the number of patients rises.

The analysis shows that there are now more than 2000 patients for every GP in the East of Staffordshire. This is up by 24% since 2016.

At the last election, the Conservative party promised to recruit more GPs. However, today's analysis reveals there are now almost 2,000 fewer fully qualified GPs in England compared to 2016. In our area the number of GPs has fallen by 32 over the same time period.

Separate figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have found that there are 547 fewer GP surgeries in England compared to 2019.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey launched the party's local election campaign this week with a pledge to recruit more GPs. This would be achieved through increasing training places for GPs, a programme to retain experienced doctors and staff, and launching a recruitment drive to encourage those who've left the NHS to return.

The party is also calling for a rescue plan for social care, including setting a higher minimum wage for carers to tackle staff shortages and ensuring no one has to sell their home to pay for care.

*The data covers the CCGs of East Staffordshire and South East Staffordshire with the Seisdon peninsula