Shadow health secretary of the Labour Party, Wes Streeting, has pledged a large expansion of the NHS workforce during a visit to Ipswich.

Mr Streeting committed to new doctors, nurses and health visitors to "improve services for patients" across the town and in Suffolk.

NHS figures reveal that there are currently 343 fewer GPs across the East of England than in 2013.

Joining Ipswich Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate, Jack Abbott, Mr Streeting pledged to train doctors, nurses and health visitors while visiting Ipswich Hospital and Home Start in Suffolk.

The Party claims such plans would double the number of medical school places, create 10,000 new nursing and midwifery placements each year, double the number of district nurses qualifying each year and provide 5,000 new health visitors.

They also say proposals would be paid for by abolishing non-dom tax status.

Mr Streeting said: "Patients are finding it impossible to get a GP appointment when they need one, in the manner they want one.

“Labour will train a new generation of doctors and nurses so patients in Suffolk can be seen on time again, with a choice of where and when they want their appointments.

"We will train new health visitors so children are given the best possible start in life.

"All paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because patients need doctors appointments more than the wealthiest need a tax break.”

Mr Abbott added: “I was delighted to welcome Wes to Ipswich and highlight the incredible work of staff at Ipswich Hospital and the team at Home Start in Suffolk. 

“However, it is clear that our whole health care system is under immense pressure and many people simply can’t access the support they need, when they need it. 

“People in Ipswich and Suffolk deserve so much better than an under-funded, under-resourced health service - Labour’s commitment to train a new generation of doctors, nurses and health visitors will put us back on the road to recovery.”