A CRITICAL shortage of GPs has left residents across Halton struggling to get appointments.

A new report by patient watchdog Healthwatch Halton has revealed that six out of 10 patients are not happy with the length of time they are allocated when they eventually get to see a doctor.

Health chiefs met on Friday to develop a revolutionary model of care called ‘One Halton’ to help solve the crisis and encourage all NHS professionals across Runcorn and Widnes to work together.

Patients say they feel rushed as many doctors are unwilling to listen to more than one symptom.

Others say it is virtually impossible to see a GP of your choice.

One patient said they had waited 47 minutes to speak to the receptionist while another added: “When you phone first thing in the morning you are put in a holding queue. By the time you get through there are no appointments left.”

In desperation many go to A&E instead, putting pressure on hospitals.

The Government set a target for all surgeries to offer online booking by March 31, yet many are still setting up websites.

Dave Wilson, communication officer at Healthwatch Halton, said: “The most common issue was with poor telephone systems.

“Appointments are the most difficult thing people are having problems with.

“Once they get through, satisfaction rates with the service are quite high but just getting access to the service is hard for many patients.”

Halton MP Derek Twigg has tabled a motion calling for urgent action.

The borough’s 126,000 patients are served by only 66 full-time equivalent GPs.

Mr Twigg said: “We need to increase that by 24 or 37 per cent by 2020.

“We have some of the most serious health problems, high cancer rates, heart disease and strokes. Being able to access a GP quickly is important.”

He praised the commitment of Halton GPs who often see between 40 and 60 patients a day.

Many surgeries are employing locums and temporary GPs to cope with the shortfall.

Mr Twigg added: “We have a lot of doctors retiring early and a problem recruiting.

“Many medical students are not choosing to become GPs. We need to make the profession more attractive.”

Simon Banks, NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group chief officer, said: “We have been working collaboratively with GPs, partners, providers and local people to develop a new strategy for general practice.

“We recognised that the demands on GPs and out of hospital care have never been greater and we need to extend and improve access to services and at the same time ensure a focus on prevention.”

One Halton aims to enable GP practices to work together in a much more integrated way with community, mental health and wellbeing, social care, voluntary sector, urgent care and pharmacy services.

Mr Banks added: “There has already been extensive engagement in the development of the strategy and over the coming months we will be engaging further with patients, practice staff and other key stakeholders on the co-production of the model.”