Figures have ranked Bexley as the fifth worst area in England for GP availability, causing concern for Erith and Thamesmead's MP.

A BBC analysis revealed there was a threefold difference between areas with the most GPs and the least, with Bexley GPs juggling, on average, more than 2,400 patients at any given time.

The worst area was listed as Swale in Kent, where there are more than 3,300 patients per GP.

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Responding to these figures, Teresa Pearce MP said that it's evident there is a lack of GPs within London and that more will need to be done to avoid issues in the future.

"These figures are worrying but not surprising. There is a GP shortage especially in London which looks as if it could get worse with more GPs retiring or giving up because of stress.

"I will be raising questions with the CCG (clinical commissioning group) to see what plans are being put in place to avert a crisis," she said.

However, a spokeswoman for the Bexley CCG, which is responsible for the overall provision of GP services within the borough, argued the figures should not serve as an accurate measurement of how well a GP service performs.

"Simply looking at the number of patients per GP is not at all reflective of how good a GP service is.

"Effective primary care services – as in Bexley – consist of a range of clinicians to ensure patients are able to see the right person to meet their individual needs.

"This ensures appointments with GPs are freed up for those with more complex needs who really need the diagnostic expertise of a doctor.

"A number of our practices make use of nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists, physician associates and paramedics, and results from the 2018 Patient Survey show that four in five Bexley patients rate their experience of their GP practice as good," she said.

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She went on to explain efforts are already under way to secure new GPs for the area along with other much-needed medical professionals.

“The CCG has a number of work streams to boost and retain the number of clinicians in general practice.

"Two new GPs have been recruited through an international programme, with another expected to join next year, and six new nurses have recently entered general practice in the borough.

"In addition, further work is under way to retain the existing clinical workforce beyond retirement age," she said.