FEARS that a GP surgery in Catterick Garrison is unable to cope with demand have been raised by patients who say they have had to wait an average of eight days for an appointment.

The Harewood Medical Practice, in the garrison, and Colburn Health Centre are both believed to be struggled to meet demand – and there are concerns that the thousands of new military personnel and families arriving up until 2031 will only add to the problems.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Helen Grant said she had been told by several patients they had been forced to wait at least eight days to see a doctor – even if it was a child that required the appointment.

She said: “I am increasingly concerned about the lack of provision of medical appointments in the local practices.

“At a recent Garrison Area Partnership we were assured that there were no problems at The Harewood or the Colburn Health Centre. We have been assured by health care professionals that the increased numbers of houses and people can be coped with. I am seriously doubting that.

“While new military residents are most welcome the further impact, notwithstanding the proposed NHS/MOD facility, will be significant.

“I am urging dissatisfied patients to make their concerns known by contacting the health authority.”

A GP from the Harewood Medical Practice admitted there were ‘mounting pressures’ on the centre – but that he was confident the service could be improved.

Dr Stephen Wild said: “There are mounting pressures on primary care services across the whole of the UK, appointment demand has increased substantially in the last five years and many practices are struggling to keep pace with the pressures of work.

“The proposed increase in the population of the Garrison is of concern to us, but we intend to address the expected demand through recruitment and new premises.

“At the Harewood practice, there is a particularly high demand for urgent appointments and to this end, we have recently recruited an advanced nurse practitioner with extensive experience in minor ailments and minor injuries.

“We expect this to free up GP time to deal with more complex cases. We are also currently out to advert for a further one and a half full time equivalent GPs.”

“In order to meet the demand - we can often take hundreds of phone calls during the morning - we operate a system of telephone triage.

“No patients who feel they need review within 48 hours are refused review and this review occurs the same day.”

“We are confident we can improve the service provided at Harewood Medical Practice and as owners of another practice graded as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC we have a proven track record.”