West Midland GP shortage 'threatens surgeries'

A West Midlands MP has warned a shortage of doctors is threatening the future of some surgeries.

Joan Walley, the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said constituents have told her it is so hard to get an appointment with a GP they are forced to go to hospital A&E departments instead.

In Herefordshire, branch surgeries at Pembridge and Eardisley will close because the practice running them cannot recruit enough doctors.

Dr Paul Harris, from the Belmont Medical Centre in Hereford, said the recruitment problems in the county are the worst he has seen in 22 years.