PATIENTS face a “deadly” postcode lottery to see a GP, with one in five waiting three weeks or more in some areas. That compares to others where one in 50 had a similar wait.

Campaigners warn long delays to see a doctor are costing lives. A Sun investigation found 20 per cent waited at least 21 days to see a GP or nurse in North Norfolk.

Next worst was West Norfolk with 18 per cent, South West Lincs on 17 per cent and several on 16 per cent, including the Isle of Wight and Swindon.

Meanwhile, two per cent waited that long in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley, Kent, NHS Digital figures say. Nationally, three million sick Brits waited at least 21 days in October.

Medical leaders claim the figure includes those needing regular appointments for ongoing conditions. Joyce Robins from Patient Concern said: “The delays put lives at risk.”

Figures revealed nine out of ten practices in England dealt with around 23million appointments over the month.

Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the figures were “profoundly concerning” as patients “will potentially need more costly care in the long run”.

More than 500 trainee medics are to get £20,000 “golden hellos” to work in unpopular areas to tackle long waits.

The Department of Health said “more than a million appointments were booked every weekday in October with 40 per cent of patients seen on the same day”.