BURNLEY’S MP and NHS England have clashed over a report criticising seven-day access to GPs.

Research by the National Audit Office (NAO) has questioned the cost of extended hours at medical surgeries and whether there will be enough doctors to cope with demand.

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Its latest report estimates it costs £230 per appointment hours, away from the core opening times, compared to £154 during the day.

And it is feared there will be 1,900 fewer GPs by 2020 due to early retirements.

MP Julie Cooper, a shadow junior health minister, has blasted the government for failing to honour pledges on same-day appointments, improving weekend and evening surgery access for patients and hiring more doctors.

She said: “Access has never been more difficult, satisfaction levels are falling, and patient safety is being compromised, in spite of GPs’ best efforts.

“Unsurprisingly given the intolerable strain they are being forced to operate under, morale among GPs is at an all-time low.

“Little wonder they are retiring in droves and recruitment and retention is in crisis.”

An NHS England spokesman said: “The NAO is wrong to criticise the value for money of GPs.

“The per-patient cost of a year of GP care is less than the cost of just two A&E visits.”