Seventy-two per cent of patients in Stevenage are being denied appointments with their preferred GP, according to a recent study.
According to data collected from the NHS, the GP Patient Survey and the ONS, and analysed by the Labour party, nearly three quarters of patients in Stevenage said they are only able to see their preferred GP some of the time or almost never.
Fewer than 24 per cent of patients in Stevenage said they were always or almost always able to see their preferred GP.
The analysis also shows that in February this year 2,213 patients in Stevenage had to wait longer than a month to see a GP.
When patients in Stevenage do get an appointment, they then only have a 75 per cent chance of a face-to-face appointment being offered.
Before the Covid pandemic, 84 per cent of GP appointments across England were held face-to-face.
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Kevin Bonavia, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Stevenage, said: "A really common concern I've been hearing on doorsteps across Stevenage is the difficulties people have in accessing NHS services.
"That's why I'm pleased that Labour has a plan to tackle the fundamental problem of doctor shortages and give people back the ability to see their GP as and when it's needed."
Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said: "It's much better for patients to see the GP who knows their medical history, face-to-face if they wish.
"But patients are finding it impossible to get an appointment at all, let alone with the doctor they want, in the manner they choose.
"It's no surprise given the Conservatives have cut 2,000 GPs since 2015.
"Labour will double medical school places to train 7,500 extra doctors and 10,000 more nurses a year, paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, so patients are seen on time again.
"We will bring back the family doctor and give patients in Stevenage choice and control over their care."
Stephen McPartland has been contacted for comment on this story.
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