Hundreds of people have complained about problems in getting appointments with their GP.

Now a new health group in Kirklees has launched a campaign to improve the system and health chiefs have promised to do all they can.

Healthwatch Kirklees plans talks next month with leaders of local health services to try to improve the system.

They have been inundated with more than 250 complaints in recent weeks from patients who have tried to get appointments on the day they are ill.

Doctors’ leaders also concede there is a major problem and have welcomed talks.

In some areas they are looking at having GP surgeries at evenings and weekends.

Carol McKenna, Chief Officer of NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We recognise that some patients feel they can’t get an appointment with their GP as quickly as they would like and we have been working hard to improve access to GP services across Huddersfield.

“We are currently exploring a number of new initiatives with our GP member practices, NHS England and Healthwatch, including online appointment booking systems, telephone consultations and an online service for repeat prescriptions.

“We remind patients to choose their NHS service carefully – there are a range of alternatives if patients can’t access their GP straight away.

“Some health-related problems, like sore throats, grazes and other minor ailments can be looked after at home.

“Alternatively, pharmacists are qualified to give health advice, without the need for an appointment, for a whole range of illnesses including coughs, colds and diarrhoea.

“Also, NHS 111 is available 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week by dialling 111 and provides confidential healthcare advice from trained experts.”

Healthwatch Kirklees claimed:

People can’t get through to their GP surgery first thing in the morning to book an appointment for the same day.

By the time people get through to the receptionist all the appointments for that day have already been allocated.

Receptionists sometimes ask for medical information to decide whether an appointment will be given for that day and patients find this unfair.

Healthwatch adviser Clare Costello said: “People who are genuinely unwell are being turned away from their own GP surgery and may instead choose to attend the Walk In Centre or A&E, which is putting additional pressure on these already overstretched services.

“We want to work with NHS managers, patients and carers to understand why this is happening and look at how we can work together to improve access to GP appointments”.

The charity is meeting next month with representatives from NHS England and both local Clinical Commissioning Groups in Huddersfield and North Kirklees to try to come up with solutions.

Rory Deighton, Director of Healthwatch Kirklees, said: “We’ve received many comments this summer about the excellent service that they receive from their GPs.

“We’re keen to work with commissioners to work out what good looks like, and to bring all practices up to the level of the best.”

Healthwatch Kirklees is the new consumer champion for Health and Social Care services in Kirklees.

The charity was formed in April 2013, and is one of 152 new patient champion organisations that have been established across the country in response to Health and Social Care scandals in Mid Staffordshire, Morecambe Bay and Winterbourne View.