GP services are under increasing strain in Wales, impacting doctors' ability to deliver the quality of care patients need and deserve, warns a representative body.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Wales voiced its concerns after new figures revealed that the number of GPs in Wales - excluding locums, retainers and registrars - was 1,926 in 2017/18, the lowest in 11 years, and 83 down (4.1 per cent) on 2016/17.

The RCGP argues that the decrease highlights the need for urgent action to tackle a workforce shortage in Wales.

The Welsh Government believes a better workforce measure includes locums, retainers and registrars.

RCGP Wales has warned for several years that the GP workforce is at tipping point, and says last year's decrease came with demand for general practice - and the population - continuing to rise.

“The news that workforce numbers have fallen is very disappointing for GPs and for patients," said Dr Rebecca Payne, who chairs the RCGP in Wales.

“Workforce shortages are already being felt across Wales. There are fewer GPs to cope with rising demand and patients are having to wait longer to see their GP.

“The situation is not sustainable. General practice can be a rewarding, fulfilling profession but the workforce is increasingly stretched. For some GPs the pressure is becoming too much.

“It is imperative the Welsh Government takes urgent action to boost the GP workforce and expand the number of other healthcare professionals working in general practice.”

The RCGP in Wales represents around 2,000 GPs, and works to encourage and maintain the highest standards of practice, and to act as GPs' voice on resources, education, training, research and clinical standards.

The figures are from the latest workforce survey. If locums, retainers and registrars working in general practice are included, the overall GP figure in Wales for 2017/18 was 2,936.

"As the statistical release makes clear, a more complete picture of GPs in Wales is to include all GP practitioners, locums, retainers and registrars. Using this method shows there are only eight (0.3 per cent) fewer GPs (than 2016/17)," said a Welsh Government spokesman.

"Since the launch of our Train Work Live campaign, we have overfilled GP training places in Wales for the first time. We have also filled training places in areas that have been traditionally hard to recruit to."