 Paul Burstow is the MP for Sutton and Cheam |
Primary care trusts have come under fire for failing to recruit enough GPs to serve local populations. Figures from the Department of Health reveal places in Essex and Kent had 43 GPs per 100,000 patients, compared with more than 60 in Durham.
An answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow shows large discrepancies.
Mr Burstow said: "The Government has focused on hospitals to the detriment of local health services."
Low numbers of doctors
People served by Durham Dales Primary Care Trust enjoyed the luxury of 67 GPs per 100,000 patients.
In contrast, those living in Thurrock, Essex, and Shepway, Kent, had only 43 for the same size of population.
Other primary care trusts outside London with the lowest number of GPs were North Kirklees, Great Yarmouth, Luton, Basildon, Slough and Swale, all with 45 per 100,000.
The average number of GPs per 100,000 patients for all English primary care trusts was 52 in 2003.
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