Struggling GP services in Marlow will see little benefit from the £2.4 billion cash injection announced by the government according to doctors who said the plans are “too little too late”.

This month it was announced that the extra funding would be allocated to practices in England to recruit extra doctors and staff which is hoped to alleviate the strain on appointment waiting times.

Initially this would have appeared to be the answer to the Marlow Medical Group’s prayers after it pleaded with residents to utilise new services on offer in order to relieve pressure on GPs this month.

However GPs have said £500 million of the funding will only help surgeries which sign up for seven day access which is impossible for practices struggling to attract and pay new staff.

However there are plans to put mental health practitioners in to surgeries which would help patients at the MMG if it benefits from this proposal.

There are also plans to offer mental health support to GPs struggling with the increased pressure.

The inability of funding for general practice to match rising costs paired with Bucks historically low funding for surgeries are two of many reasons surgeries are in a current crisis according Bucks GPs.

The Marlow Medical Group has recently introduced a number of new services to try and reduce appointment waiting times including home visit paramedics, an on-site pharmacist and an updated phone system.