SHOCKING new figures from an official NHS survey have revealed that more than 30,000 people in Barnsley have had to wait more than a week to see a GP in the past year.
Across the area covered by Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group, around one in seven people said they were forced to wait at least seven days when they phoned for an appointmen.
The annual NHS England survey also revealed that local patients struggle to see the family doctor of their own choosing.
Across the local region, 41 per cent - or 46,169 people - who have a preferred GP had to see another doctor when they last went to their surgery.
Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, said:
"Ministers need to take full responsibility and explain to the people of Barnsley why they have to wait longer to get an appointment with their doctor.
"I'm backing plans which would see patients guaranteed an appointment within 48 hours or an appointment on the same day for those who need it.
"This commitment would make a massive difference to the lives of people in Barnsley."
