NHS 'in meltdown' as Labour claims spend-per-patient has fallen in real terms
Spending per patient on general practice services has fallen in real terms since 2010, new research shows.
The House of Commons library analysis, commissioned by Labour, shows GP spending totalled £8.321 billion in 2009/10 - the equivalent of £9.185 billion in 2014/15 prices - under the last Labour administration while the previous coalition government spent £8.939 billion in 2014/15.
The data adds the £159 spent per person in 2009/10 is the equivalent of £176 in real-terms for 2014/15 - compared to the actual spend of £165 for 2014/15.
Labour added its analysis also suggests 14.2 million patients waited a week or more to see or speak to a GP or were unable to a secure an appointment the last time they tried in 2015.
The Opposition said this compared to 13.8 million people in the previous year.
Shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander said the NHS is in "meltdown" while GP services are "in crisis".
She added: "David Cameron talks about a seven-day NHS, but the reality is he is failing to deliver a five-day NHS and patient care is suffering as a result."
