Labour candidate for North Swindon Kate Linnegar has written to Justin Tomlinson MP calling for urgent action over the debacle of IMH-run surgeries in Swindon.

Patients at five surgeries in North Swindon, including Tawhill, Abbeymeads, Eldene, Moredon and Pheonix, have been battling hour-long queues to book appointments since Integrated Medical holdings took them over and brought in a new phone-booking system last year.

In her letter the opposition candidate told Mr Tomlinson: "Patients have been emailing complaints to their GP surgeries, the CCG, IMH, Healthwatch and you.

"They report that there is no improvement. This has been going on for over three months.

"I understand that NHS England is responsible for overseeing CCG’s performances and I have today written to them. In the meantime I think you should meet with the patients. They deserve some representation from you at this worrying time.

"We are all concerned that someone is going to have their health seriously damaged or fail to receive lifesaving treatment."

The candidate invited Mr Tomlinson to a meeting at the Moredon Medical Centre administration hub this Friday to discuss the issues facing patients.

She added: "People are very anxious and some with mental health issues are really struggling.

"We’ve been writing to everyone we can think of but nothing seems to improve. Justin needs to step up."