Ben Bradshaw MP, Labour's Health Minister, today welcomed news that the Labour Government has achieved its target of later evening and weekend opening hours in 50 per cent of England's GP surgeries three months ahead of schedule, saying:

"This is a landmark day for patients. Labour's reforms are creating a fairer NHS, one in which everyone can see a doctor when they need to and when they want to.

"Ahead of schedule, half of England's GPs now offer later evening and weekend opening thanks to Labour's deal with the British Medical Association. It means fairer, more convenient access to a doctor for people who couldn't otherwise fit it around their work or their children.

"Although they try to conceal it, the Conservatives have pledged policies which would make it harder for families to see a GP at weekends or in the evenings.

"David Cameron needs to come clean and to tell patients which GPs would stop offering weekend and evening opening under his unfair plans."