For years, patients across our local area have been let down by a GP system that simply cannot cope. At Meon Health Practice, families are waiting weeks for a basic appointment. Some residents are told slots are “only available on Mondays.” Others are left with no option but to call 111, an emergency line, just to access routine care.

It’s been going on for years, the Daily Echo even reported that Meon Health Practice had to suspend routine appointments altogether because of the pressure (read here). This isn’t just poor service, it’s a public health risk left unchecked for too long.

We’ve all heard the stories:

• “I couldn’t get a GP appointment for over two weeks, even with my child ill.”
• “You have to go on anima at 8am on the dot Mon, or Tues. Keep refreshing until the appointments come up which can be up to 8:15. Stupid system!"
• “That’s why I changed GP! It’s the worst surgery I’ve ever experienced”

The truth is simple: local communities are growing, but our healthcare resources are not. Patients are being failed by leaders who have ignored the issue for too long. Ordinary working families are paying the price with their health.

This has to change.

We demand urgent action:

• An immediate review of GP capacity and access across the area
• Funding for expanded hours and more staff to meet rising demand
• A long-term plan to ensure no patient has to fight for weeks to see a doctor

And here’s my pledge:
When this petition reaches 300 signatures, I will personally take it to the council and demand answers on behalf of every resident who has struggled to access care.

If we can fix this problem at Meon Health Practice, it sets a precedent for others to follow, change here could open the door for improvements across all struggling GP practices.

Sign this petition to show that our communities are united, and together, we will make a difference.