The party accused the Conservatives of failing to deliver on their 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit more GPs as new data showed almost 1.8m people couldn't get through to their doctor to make an appointment.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, said: ‘Patients are being catastrophically let down as millions struggle to contact their GP and get an appointment when they need one. Many people are waiting days to hear back from their GP practice, often anxious or in pain.'

The Liberal Democrat manifesto includes a pledge for 8,000 extra GPs, paid for by reforming Capital Gains Tax. The party has also pledged a legal right for people to see their GP within a week or 24-hours if in urgent need. 

The Liberal Democrats also called for a new rural GP fund to support doctors' surgeries in rural and remote areas of the country.