A shocking poll has shown that the number of people reporting their health is either "bad" or "very bad" has double in areas of the North East over the past decade - while upwards of 40% in all but one constituency area in our region said they had trouble seeing their GP s.
Research carried out by the polling giant Survation on behalf of campaign group 38 Degrees shows, the group claims, there could be as many as two million people on a "shadow waiting list" - by which it means people who are waiting to see a doctor to then get a referral which would lead to treatment.
More than 10,000 people around the UK were surveyed during June, with results then modelled for local areas. Each of the three Newcastle parliamentary constituencies has seen the proportion of people reporting ill health rise significantly, with Newcastle Central worst hit.
In the 2011 census, just 7% of people in Newcastle Central reported being in bad or very bad health. According to the Survation poll, this has doubled. The same is the case throughout the region - with places from Berwick to Bishop Auckland also seeing huge increases.
And when it comes to seeing a GP, the Washington and Sunderland West constituency saw the highest percentage for people who had struggled to get an appointment in the past year with 55%. This comes at a time when family doctors - along with the rest of the NHS - are under huge pressure and struggling to see up to 45 patients a day.
The 38 Degrees and Survation research also found that of millions officially waiting for NHS treatment, over 1 in 3 are experiencing a reduced quality of life, a quarter have seen their mobility deteriorate, and 1 in 10 have been forced to leave their jobs. NHS bosses and GPs have previously spoken about how dealing with the worsening health of those waiting for vital treatment was adding to the strain. More than 6.5m people nationwide are waiting for NHS procedures, with almost 100,000 of those at Newcastle's hospitals.
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, said: "This is further evidence of how this incompetent government is creating chaos and misery for the people of Newcastle Central. They have given us Backlog Britain, where you have to wait months for crucial operations as well as for routine GP appointments. Ministers are too busy fighting amongst themselves to address the chaos they have created. Britain's needs a fresh start on health and only Labour can deliver that."
Veronica Hawking, 38 Degrees' head of campaigns, said: "These figures bring into sharp focus the consequences of years of underfunding for our National Health Service - and now millions of patients are paying the price. No one should have to live with so much uncertainty about when they’ll get the treatment they need or be stuck waiting years for treatment, whilst their health, mobility and quality of life declines."
She said the NHS was "stretched to its limits" and called on Government to "step up and give them the support they need to deliver". This week local NHS leaders including new North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System boss Samantha Allen have also spoken of how health outcomes in our area are "way behind" other parts of the country.
The Department of Health and Social Care has said there are "record numbers" of doctors, nurses and healthcare staff working in the NHS and "record investment" has been directed towards tackling Covid-19 backlogs. It has also earmarked £2bn as part of what it calls a "radical programme of modernisation" involving using more digital technology to reduce NHS bed occupancy and minimise waiting times.
Yesterday, on his appointment as Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay said: "Our NHS and social care staff have showed us time and again – throughout the pandemic and beyond – what it means to work with compassion and dedication to transform lives.
"This government is investing more than ever before in our NHS and care services to beat the COVID-19 backlogs, recruit 50,000 more nurses, reform social care and ensure patients across the country can access the care they need."
38 Degrees' data can be explored in map form here. Figures for how much bad health has increased since 2011 in each parliamentary constituency in the North East, and how difficult booking an appointment with a GP - are below:
Berwick-upon-Tweed - 13% (up from 6%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 47% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Wansbeck - 13% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 43% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Hexham - 11% (up from 4%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 38% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Blyth Valley - 15% (up from 7%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 48% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Newcastle North - 11% (up from 7%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 47% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Newcastle Central - 14% (up from 7%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 48% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Newcastle East - 12% (up from 6%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 43% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
North Tyneside - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 47% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Tynemouth - 11% (up from 6%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 41% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Blaydon - 14% (up from 7%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 44% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Gateshead - 14% (up from 9%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 42% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Jarrow - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 49% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
South Shields - 14% (up from 9%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 46% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Washington and Sunderland West - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 55% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Sunderland Central - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 44% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Houghton and Sunderland South - 14% (up from 9%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 46% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
North Durham - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 48% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
North West Durham - 13% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 46% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
City of Durham - 11% (up from 6%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 48% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Easington - 14% (up from 11%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 46% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Sedgefield - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 50% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
Bishop Auckland - 14% (up from 8%) say they're in bad or very bad health, 46% say they or family had difficult booking a GP's appointment
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