A health watchdog said the GP shortage in Tottenham Hale is set to worsen due to planned housing developments. 

A recent report from Healthwatch Haringey raises serious concerns about the lack of GP services in the ward, which currently has 18,000 fewer GP appointments available per year than recommended by the NHS.

Haringey Council plans to make Tottenham Hale a 'housing zone', allowing it to build new homes with funding from City Hall.

The area has already seen a 30 per cent increase in population since 2001.

The council has said GP surgeries and health centres will be planned as part of regeneration.

Councillor Peter Morton, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said the council welcomed the report, adding: “As part of our 20 year plans to regenerate Tottenham we will work to ensure residents are able to access quality primary care services.

“For example, our recently launched consultation on the future of Tottenham’s High Road West includes plans for a new, purpose built health facility.

“And, as the regeneration in Tottenham progresses, we will also be considering what further health facilities may be needed to support a growing population in the area.”

The Healthwatch report also painted a picture of inequality between the east and west of the borough in terms of access to GPs.

Only eight per cent of residents in the West stated they were unable to get an appointment at their most recent attempt compared with an average of 25 per cent in Tottenham Hale.

Healthwatch Haringey chairman Sharon Grant said: “In the east of the borough we are facing a crisis of under provision which threatens patient safety. 

"Set against national standards the number of appointments available to the people of Tottenham Hale falls woefully short, and we were shocked to find the extent of the deficit."

Healthwatch says the poor provision in the east of the borough is likely to impact on the council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy objectives, which include tackling health inequalities.

Councillor Morton said: “As a council we recognise that profound health inequalities exist in Haringey and we are committed to working closely with our partners Haringey CCG, Healthwatch Haringey, and NHS England to tackle these.”

He added: “However we also recognise that improving access to primary care facilities is only one part of a strategy that focuses on tackling health inequalities and supporting Haringey residents to live healthy, long and fulfilling lives.

“The council has been strengthening our prevention and early intervention approach, through a series of targeted behaviour change programmes on problems including obesity, drug and alcohol addiction, smoking, and mental health.”