The number of practising fully trained GPs in an East Lancs borough increased last year, new figures show, as pressures on NHS services mount following the coronavirus pandemic and over a decade of under-funding by Government.

NHS Digital figures show there were 96 full-time equivalent GPs in the former NHS Blackburn with Darwen CCG area in November.

Of these, 33 were in training, meaning 63 were fully qualified – up from 59 a year earlier.

This is despite England seeing the biggest year-on-year fall in more than three years of fully qualified GPs, despite the Government’s 2019 manifesto pledge to recruit 6,000 more GPs by 2025.

The British Medical Association trade union said the continued decline in fully trained GPs nationally is “alarming” and urged the Government to take the situation seriously.

Across England, there were 27,400 fully trained GPs in November – down from 27,900 in November 2021 and a decrease of 1.7 per cent, the largest annual fall in more than three years.

Dr Kieran Sharrock, GP committee acting chair at the British Medical Association - England, said: “Despite promises to recruit 5,000 – and then 6,000 – more GPs, the Government has now overseen the loss of the equivalent of more than 1,900 full-time fully qualified GPs in England since 2015.

“Rather than piling on more pressure, the Government needs to show it is taking this dire workforce situation seriously and encourage more family doctors to stay in the profession when our communities need them most.”

The number of full-time equivalent GPs across the country rose by 1.2 per cent from 36,200 to 36,600 in the 12 months to November.

This was largely driven by a 10.8 per cent rise in training GPs – the number of which in Blackburn with Darwen rose from 18 to 33.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said at least £1.5 billion will be invested to create an additional 50 million appointments by 2024.

They added: “There were nearly 2,300 more doctors working in general practice in September compared to September 2019 and a record-breaking number started training as GPs last year.”