Doctors' leaders are calling for a better contracts

The body which represents family doctors said new and more attractive GP contracts had to be agreed by April to counter the critical shortage of family doctors.

The acute shortage of family doctors in Wales is resulting in shorter consultations with patients and longer waiting times.

In areas like the Gwent valleys of south Wales, the problem looks set to become worse as half of all doctors are aged over 60.

One GP, Dr Ajit Singh, of Glanyrafon Surgery in Tredegar, has not found a single doctor interested in become a new partner.

Dr Ajit Singh has had to come out of retirement

The 61-year-old doctor said he has had to come out of retirement to keep the practice going.

"We don't know how we're going to cope with this problem at this time, " he said.

"I have another six months or so to try and do as much as I can for this place but I think the health authority has to realise the crises are there."

In December 2001, the Welsh General Practitioners Committee surveyed doctors across the country, finding most in their early 20s want to retire early.

Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the body said: "We have a particular problem in some of the Valleys where scores of doctors are nearing retirement age and young doctors are showing a marked reluctance to take over from them."

Many doctors are leaving the profession

"The detailed analysis of our survey results by age demonstrates that matters are likely to get worse.

"The newest recruits to general practice are not intending to follow the same full-time career path as their older colleagues," he said.

Carried out by the Welsh committee, the survey found more than three-quarters of the UK's youngest GPs are women.

Nine out of 10 doctors in their 30s feel child care should be improved.