A PROSPECTIVE MP has met with the shadow health secretary to discuss the need for more GP floor space in Basildon.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour candidate for Basildon and Billericay, fears the shortfall in the borough will increase in the next four years.

He met with shadow health secretary Andy Burnham last week to discuss the issue.

The Basildon and Brentwood CCG has estimated floor space deficit of over 3,000 sq metres, as well as several existing premises being in poor condition.

The arrival of up to 25,000 new residents to the area will increase the problem, the CCG states.

Mr Callaghan and fellow Labour election candidate Mike Le-Surf claim the floor space deficit amounts to about £10million, which is likely to increase to £12.5million by 2019.

Mr Callaghan said, "Right across Basildon and Billericay people are facing longer waits for GP appointments than at any time in living memory.

“The GP crisis in Basildon is a major one and yet our MPs have never even raised this in the House of Commons.

“It is clear that significant amounts of money is needed just to bring the GP provision up to average levels.

"I spoke directly to Labour's health secretary and made it clear to him that if Labour wins the election on May 7, I will be lobbying him for every penny of this money to get the new surgeries we desperately need.”