A carer complained after waiting more than a week for appointments at a surgery which has taken on an extra 1,000 patients.

Geoff Eve, 64, of Chelmer Road, Witham, claims he has had to wait nine days and 12 days for two separate appointments at Douglas Grove Surgery in the past few months.

Practice manager Michelle Cain said there had been a period earlier this year where two doctors were off sick and they had to rely on locums at very late notice.

But Mr Eve, who cares for his wife Pam, believes the problem of obtaining a doctors appointment is spreading to many surgeries.

He said: “It makes me quite angry.

“There are three occasions where I haven’t been able to get an appointment."

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