Councillors in Barnsley have been looking at ways of tackling the town's shortage of GPs.

They received advise from senior NHS official David Amos, who is responsible for recruitment and retention of doctors in the National Health Service.

Among the ideas discussed to solve the problem, were extending the roles of nursing staff in general practice, and international recruitment programmes.

Councillors also want to raise the profile of Barnsley as a place where family doctors would want to practise.

Below average

The town has 23% fewer doctors than the national average, which means a shortfall of 23 doctors.

A briefing document for the town's Social Affairs and Health Scrutiny Commision showed 10% of the town's GPs are aged over 60, and a further 41% are over 50.

After the meeting, Councillor Len Picken, chairman of the scrutiny commission, said: "Our investigation is drawing to a close and the evidence from the senior civil servant was valuable in helping to complete the jigsaw.

"It confirmed ideas that we have already identified and encouraged the commission in its work to combat the shortfall of GPs in Barnsley."