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Fairer GP access for more and more patients in the Bristol area – Doug Naysmith MP

14 January 2009.

Doug Naysmith MP and Labour's Health Minister Ben Bradshaw MP have welcomed news that over 77% of GPs in the area covered by the Bristol Primary Care Trust now open at evenings and weekends, thanks to Labour's deal with the British Medical Association for extended GP opening.

Doug Naysmith said:

"This is real help for patients in the Bristol area and beats the national average. It is a tribute to the local GPs who have signed up to the evening and weekend opening deal that the Labour Government has introduced. It means a better NHS and a fairer deal for people who wouldn't otherwise be able to fit seeing a doctor around their family responsibilities or their work."

Ben Bradshaw MP, Labour's Health Minister, said:

"These results show Labour's NHS reforms are delivering a fairer system for everyone. More and more people can see a doctor when they need to and when they want to, thanks to Labour's deal with the British Medical Association. Illness isn't just nine-to-five, and so longer GP opening hours are a real help to working families.

"David Cameron tries hard to conceal it, but his party would do nothing to help families who need to see a doctor at evenings and weekends - the Conservatives are pledged to cut GP opening hours.

"It's time for David Cameron to come clean, and tell patients they would lose their evening and weekend GP services under his unfair plans."