THE shortage of GPs in Runcorn and Widnes has been raised in Westminster by Halton MP Derek Twigg.

He challenged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in the House of Commons on Wednesday after receiving complaints from patients and doctors.

Mr Twigg said: “Patients are finding it increasingly difficult to get an appointment, especially if they want to see a particular doctor.

“Two GPs have told me there are major problems with GP services in Halton. They feel general practice is being neglected.

“They are concerned about paperwork, lack of resources and the fact that fewer new doctors are becoming GPs.”

Mr Twigg highlighted the problem in April, after discovering that Halton’s 128,775 patients are served by only 74 doctors, making it the worse ratio in Merseyside.

He said: “Halton is a deprived area so our level of sickness is more profound.

“My concern is that people end up going to A&E and have treatment in hospital which is more expensive.

“GPs would prefer to prevent people getting sick in the first place.

“We should listen to what they are saying and improve resources. “ Mr Twigg is raising these issues with the Royal College of GPs next week.

In reply, health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “There is pressure throughout the NHS because there are nearly one million more over 65s than there were four years ago which puts pressure on GPs as it does on any department or hospital providing elective care.

“We have brought back named GPs with personal responsibility for over 75s.”

Tom Knight, head of primary care (Merseyside), NHS England said: “We are working with Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and other relevant stakeholders to address any concerns about shortfalls.

"The NHS England (Merseyside) operational plan 2014-16, due to be published shortly to relevant local stakeholders, sets out our commitment to deliver a workforce plan for Merseyside to ensure we have the right number of GPs deployed in the right areas.”