In July 2018 the BBC Shared Data Unit reported there were more than five million people across England who were unable to book an appointment with a GP outside of working hours, when all patients were due to have full extended access by 1 October 2018.
Labour accused the government of "breaking its promises".
NHS England said it was still on target to provide access to extended care for all patients by the 1 October deadline.
Our analysis showed:
- More than 22 million people - or 40% of patients registered with GPs - had "seven-day 8am to 8pm" access to GPs - defined as full provision by NHS England
- Just over half the population had access to partial provision. This is when a GP practice can offer the minimum of ninety minutes of bookable appointments once a week
- Only two areas offered full provision to GPs for all patients
- Some 5.4 million people - or 10% of patients - had no access to GPs outside of normal working hours
This piece of content was produced by a regional correspondent for ITV working alongside BBC staff.
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:
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The Daily Mail: Millions left out of 7-day GP appointments: 60% of people do not have full evening and weekend access to their family doctor 30 July 2018
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The i: Over five million people are unable to book GP appointments outside of working hours 30 July 2018
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Blackpool Gazette: 'Your doctor won't see you now' 29 July 2018
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Wigan Today: Wigan GPs are best for evenings and weekends 30 July 2018
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North Wales: The Leader Live: North Wales: More doctors needed if out-of-hours services to be extended 30 July 2018
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Lancashire Telegraph: GP access special report: 'My GP surgery is doing its best in difficult times' 30 July 2018
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Lancashire Telegraph: 'Supermarket style' 24/7 health service is unrealistic – Blackburn GP 30 July 2018
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Northern Echo: Wide disparity in patients with access to extended GP opening hours 30 July 2018
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Nantwich News: Thousands of GP patients in South Cheshire still without full out of hours access 30 July 2018
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Knutsford Guardian: Knutsford patients set to get more time to access GP services 30 July 2018
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The Yorkshire Post: Millions still lack out-of-hours access to GPs 30 July 2018
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Portsmouth: The News: New Portsmouth hub ends patients’ lack of seven-day GP access 30 July 2018
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Kent Online: Kent patients struggle to book GP appointments outside working hours 30 July 2018
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Dorset: Daily Echo: Dorset CCG 'on plan' to have all GP surgeries offer extended hours by October 30 July 2018
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Ledbury Reporter: Herefordshire among top performing areas for GP access at evenings and weekends 31 July 2018
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Dewsbury Reporter: North Kirklees CCG to roll out evening and weekend GP appointments 31 July 2018
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Devon Live: Seven day GP access is still yet to become reality 31 July 2018
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Northumberland Gazette: REVEALED: Patients' access to out-of-hours GPs in Northumberland 31 July 2018
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Northampton Chronicle & Echo: Seven-day GP access is a long way off in Northamptonshire as study reveals only two surgeries at Nene CCG offer 'full provision' 31 July 2018
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Ilkley Gazette: Work goes on to try to give residents better access to GPs 1 August 2018
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Liverpool Echo Why is it so hard to get a GP out of hours in Merseyside? 2 August 2018
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The story was also used by the BBC News Channel, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Wales, BBC Radio Merseryside, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Somerset, BBC Surrey, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, BBC Cumbria, BBC Radio Humberside