GP

Under current best-practice guidelines, men should receive an MRI and biopsy within a week of urgent GP referral - but waits can be longer depending on radiologist capacity.

GP surgeries can give flu vaccines to school-aged children and those with certain health conditions, as well as two to three year olds, while preschoolers can also be taken to pharmacies for the vaccine.

In its annual report, the Care Quality Commission said waiting times were too long and staffing too stretched in areas such as mental health, GP care and social care.

The 10-year NHS plan published in July set out a vision for a neighbourhood health service through the creation of clinics integrating different elements of GP care and hospital services with wider community support.

He did not want to take medication and it took him six months to convince his GP to put him forward for talking therapy.