A shocking poll has shown that the number of people reporting their health is either "bad" or "very bad" has double in areas of the North East over the past decade - while upwards of 40% in all but one constituency area in our region said they had trouble seeing their GP s.
Research carried out by the polling giant Survation on behalf of campaign group 38 Degrees shows, the group claims, there could be as many as two million people on a "shadow waiting list" - by which it means people who are waiting to see a doctor to then get a referral which would lead to treatment.
More than 10,000 people around the UK were surveyed during June, with results then modelled for local areas. Each of the three Newcastle parliamentary constituencies has seen the proportion of people reporting ill health rise significantly, with Newcastle Central worst hit.
