| Recent figures published by the Health Service Journal show the number of GP's in the Bath, Wiltshire and Swindon area over 55 is one of the highest in the country.
With more doctors leaving the NHS than joining it, fears are spreading that there could be a crisis as demand for services increases.
The Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for South West Wiltshire Trevor Carbin said: "These figures are concerning when you take into consideration the pressure the NHS is already under. The Government now needs to do more to encourage people to take up a career in healthcare. Currently many are being put off, with almost half of junior doctors leaving the NHS after two years on the job training."
Liberal Democrats have committed to introduce a 1p tax on income that would directly benefit the NHS and social care, raising £6bn a year.
THE 11 AREAS AT HIGH RISK OF FACING A GP SHORTAGE
| Region | Total GP number | GPs per 10,000 population | Percentage of GPs over 55 | | Kent and Medway | 851 | 4.73 | 24.2 | | Somerset | 338 | 6.3 | 24 | | Lincolnshire | 363 | 4.93 | 22.5 | | Mid and South Essex | 562 | 4.84 | 22.4 | | Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Luton | 454 | 4.92 | 21.9 | | Gloucestershire | 346 | 5.61 | 21.2 | | Hertfordshire and West Essex | 739 | 5.1 | 20.4 | | Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire | 474 | 5.3 | 19.3 | | South West London | 823 | 5.61 | 19.1 | | Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly | 314 | 5.69 | 19.1 | | North East London | 967 | 5.02 | 19 |
Source: Health Service Journal
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