NHS data shows the GP surgeries in the Watford area with the highest workload, as patients struggle to book appointments across the country.

The British Medical Association has said large disparities in GP to patient ratios throughout England are "wholly unacceptable" and called on the Government to address the longstanding issues.

In 2022, according to NHS Digital figures for 2022, Pathfinder Practice, in Oxhey Drive, had the lowest number of patients per GP, with five GPs and 866 patients.

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Despite this, when patients were surveyed on their satisfaction with their GP, earlier this year, it did not score well for ease of booking appointments.

The practice was ranked as having the worst booking experience as well as having the hardest website to use.

The NHS figures show that Abbotswood Medical Centre patients, in Abbots Langley, had by far the most patients per GP, at just one for 4773 patients.

However, the practice website now shows two GPs which, if patient numbers stayed the same, would bring it more in line with other practices, while still having the most.

Despite this, among surgeries in and around Watford, its patients had the best experience of booking appointments, followed by Suthergrey House and South Oxhey Surgery.

If patients were spread evenly, the average GP would look after 1550 patients.

After Pathfinder, Manor View Practice had the fewest patients per GP at 923, followed by Baldwins Lane Surgery, The Colne Practice, then Bridgewater Surgeries.

On the other end of the scale, Little Bushey surgery had the most patients per GP at 2043, followed by South Oxhey Surgery, The Elms Surgery, Watford Health Centre, and Vine House Health Centre.

The Department of Health and Social Care said there was the equivalent of over 1,600 more doctors in December 2021 than the two previous years, with a record-breaking number starting training last year.

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