HEALTH services in Witney have been branded a 'disaster' after it was revealed residents have had to resort to calling emergency services in a desperate bid to see a GP.

A new report by watchdog Healthwatch Oxfordshire, which examined health and social care systems in the town, said residents struggling to get a GP appointment have instead been calling 111 or 999.

It comes amid a major campaign by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to advise people about what healthcare best suits their need, and follows the closure of the Deer Park Medical Centre earlier this year.

It has been claimed some people have to wait up to eight weeks for an appointment with their GP.

The report, which took in the views of more than 1,000 people, stated: "There was some indication that A&E was being used when people felt they could not access their GP.

"One paramedic reported that: 'We receive a lot of calls from people in their 40s and 50s who call 111 or 999 because they have not been able to get an appointment with their GP' and suggested that 'there needs to be more information for people about where to go and how to look after themselves.'"

Former chairwoman of the patient forum at Deer Park, and Deputy Mayor of Witney, Brenda Churchill said the town was in a 'terrible state' and people were taking extreme measures just to get an appointment.

She added: "In some cases we have patients waiting for up to eight weeks for an appointment to see their named GP.

"You can get an appointment within two to three weeks but if you want to see someone specific, to discuss a long term illness or condition, then the wait is so much longer.

"People have now been phoning up surgeries in advance and just booking an appointment.

"And if it turns out they are okay and do not need it, they will cancel a week before.

"Then they will do the same and book another appointment for eight weeks time – it is ridiculous."

Despite residents having to look elsewhere to be seen by a doctor, 74 per cent of people who took part in Healthwatch's study rated their surgery as good or very good.

Waiting times for appointments, more staff and more funding were the top three improvements respondents wanted to see.

Ms Churchill added: "It is a disaster in Witney and this is all because when they closed down Deer Park there was no foresight, no plan B to take up all those patients who were then out of a practice.

"Witney also has a problem where there are a lot of GPs about to retire and no one to fill their positions.

"It is a shambles."

Last year the CCG announced that Deer Park Medical Centre would close because nobody could be found to run it after Virgin Care’s contract expired.

Out of the 4,000 patients Deer Park formerly served, about 400 still have not registered with another practice.

Healthwatch said during its research in March this year – the month Deer Park closed – it received many comments from residents pleading for the centre to remain open and describing the surgery as 'caring' with 'good doctors.'

The CCG said it is actively running several campaigns to not only recruit more people but to also guide residents to the right health service for their need.

It said such initiatives included encouraging residents to get flu jabs and to stay warm and well in the winter, as well as a new recruitment campaign.

It said it also campaigns on social media to try and direct residents to the most appropriate services.

The CCG has been told to come up with a six month plan for primary care in Witney and the surrounding areas following the Deer Park closure, which is due to be published next month.

For the full report visit healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/healthwatchoxfordshirereports