I know that many people are concerned about access to GP services. Too many constituents tell me that it is almost impossible to get an appointment with their local doctor when they need one.

I also know from local health professionals that services across Sunderland are under growing financial pressure and that it is increasingly difficult to attract family doctors to the area.

In Parliament, I pressed the Health Minister on how the government will tackle this growing crisis.

Unless they act, it looks like all the good work done by the Labour Government to address the shortfall in GPs in Sunderland is being undone by a government that is unable or unwilling to provide the NHS with the resources it needs.

This article was originally published by the Sunderland Echo on 27 October 2016. You can read the online version here.