'Give GPS waiting list targets like hospitals'

FAMILY doctors should be subject to waiting list targets like their peers in hospitals, experts say.

- 

Figures show one in 25 patients waits more than a month for a GP appointment.

The NHS England data also revealed three in 20 meetings last under five minutes - and one in four takes place over the phone or via video call.

A health service adviser who works with GP practices and asked not to be named suggested patients should be given a time frame for seeing a family doctor, just like hospital treatment.

There are wait-time rules for patients receiving hospital or secondary care treatment. Under the NHS constitution, they have a right to begin treatment within 18 weeks of a referral.