Ending the “scramble at 8am” to get a GP appointment must end, the shadow health secretary has said. 

The current state of the NHS was discussed during Labour MP Liz Kendall’s visit to Wesley’s Cafe in Baildon.

The politician spoke to carers and dementia patients about the kind of support that would help them in the community and at home.

From what she called “dental deserts” to declining spaces at medical school, the MP raised concerns about the current future of the health service.

It comes as the Labour party sets out its plan to overhaul the NHS.

Ms Kendall said the opposition would double the number of medical school places from 7,500 to 15,000 places, paid for by abolishing non-dom tax status.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, she said: “If you come live and work in this country you should pay your taxes, we don’t think very wealthy people should get away with that. 

“It makes absolutely no sense the Government has cut the number of medical school places this year - bright young people who want a good career in the NHS as a doctor being turned down.”

Other parts of the plan include tackling 165,000 care workers through better rights at work, decent standards, fair pay, and proper training and reform services with a home first approach. 

“This scramble at 8am to get an appointment, no wonder you end up in A&E. It’s so expensive, it puts pressure on the NHS, we need more doctors. We could do lots more with our local pharmacists to provide blood pressure and other checks within the community, so people don’t have to wait.

“Many people, especially if they’re older and they’ve got long term conditions, they want to see the same person. We want to bring back the family doctor and face to face appointments to those who want it.”

Speaking about the dental crisis, she said: “This is a huge issue, we’re seeing dental deserts across the country. We’re seeing surgeries closing. This is a growing problem.

“We’ll be saying more about this in the weeks ahead. We know good dental health early on it sees you through the rest of your life. We need to make sure we get a solution and we make it last.”

The Telegraph & Argus approached the Government for a response to the MP, but did not receive a response.