A lack of GPs is to blame

Researchers at Which? magazine phoned 119 GP surgeries across the UK asking to register as a new patient.

A total of 28 practices said they were not taking on new patients. The problem was worst in England with one in three clinics saying they were full.

A growing number of practices have closed their lists in recent years because of a lack of GPs.

UK-wide problems

The survey revealed problems in both urban and rural areas.

The researchers phoned 74 practices in England. One in three refused to take on new patients.

I am not surprised one in four GPs have closed their lists. In fact, I would have thought it was much more Dr Laurence Buckman, British Medical Association

In Scotland, four out of 21 surgeries said they were full. In Northern Ireland it was two out of 12 and in Wales it was one in 12.

In one area of south-east London Lewisham, all six local surgeries said no. In Wolverhampton, half of the 12 surgeries called turned down new patients.

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are obliged to find a GP for local residents. However, there is nothing to stop practices from refusing to take on new patients and saying they have a full list.

GPs who close their list say it is the only way they can ensure their existing patients receive high quality care.

"We had about 3,500 patients too many, so we closed the list," said Dr Pam Martin, a GP in Lewisham.

"But our plan to get the numbers down was sabotaged by the PCT.

"It allocates us about 40 people a month, and another 30 join because they're so ill we can't turn them away.

"We still have 2,000 more patients than we can really cope with.

"It's unfashionable to say we need more resources. But, if people want to see a doctor and there isn't one, we need another doctor," she said.

'More GPs'

The Department of Health said the situation is improving.

"There are more GPs in the NHS than ever before," said a spokesman.

"We recognise capacity is an issue in some areas and that is why we have a range of initiatives to get more GPs where they are needed most."

He added: "The new GP contract will also bring considerable benefits to areas suffering GP shortages."

But Dr Laurence Buckman of the British Medical Association said he was not suprised by Which? magazine's findings.

"I am not surprised one in four GPs have closed their lists. In fact, I would have thought it was much more," he told BBC News Online.