GPs in capital are bottom of league for opening times

Nearly two thirds of the capital's NHS trusts have received the lowest possible rating on providing weekend and evening appointments - the worst score anywhere in England and Wales.

Health centres and doctors surgeries in Camden come bottom in a national poll published today by health watchdog the Healthcare Commission.

Patients are failing to visit their GPs because they cannot get an appointment which suits them.

A significant divide also exists over access to NHS dental care with patients in north London worst off. Staff shortages mean more than half of 31 London health trusts are failing to provide adequate access.

Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust has the worst problem with many people unable to visit the dentist once every two years.

The Healthcare Commission's findingsbased on a survey of 69,000 patients, were seized on by opposition politicians. The Tories said they were proof that targets were failing patients.

Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "They (the Government) talk about increasing access but their targets have distorted priorities meaning that one in four people can't book an appointment with their GP more than two days in advance and more than half are unable to get through to their local surgery by phone."

The watchdog said patients were generally-positive about the care they receive. GPs scored well on listening to patients, treating them with dignity and dealing with health concerns efficiently.

But there are significant variations in waiting times for seeing a GP, booking appointments three or more days in advance and the diet and exercise advice provided by healthcare professionals.

Two years is the longest period an adult should go without seeing a dentist. But more than a quarter of people nationally said they went less frequently.

Patients should also be able to see a GP within two working days or a practice nurse within one.

Tower Hamlets PCT came bottom in the country for the number of people who complained they had to wait longer than this.

Anna Walker, the Healthcare Commission's chief executive, warned of a "significant" national health problem in years to come if a large proportion of people do not see a dentist.