The NHS Alliance response to latest GP data

Responding to the latest GP data published by NHS England, the director for primary care, community and neighbourhood health at the NHS Alliance, Ruth Rankine, said:

"These figures show a marked increase in the number of appointments in June compared with the previous month – and they are up by more than 10 per cent from the same time last year.

"It’s possible this could reflect the impact of sustained high temperatures which can increase health risks for vulnerable people and have unfortunately led to a sharp jump in deaths linked to heat.

"Great credit is due to GPs and primary care colleagues for the way they are rising to the exceptional challenges of this summer season. They are doing all they can to help people as quickly as possible."