About 50% of practices in London have a vacancy for a member of staff – and dozens are considering closing, according to the findings of a survey published today.

Londonwide LMCs, which represents GPs throughout the capital and conducted the survey, said the findings showed a “state of emergency.”

Some 628 practices took part in the survey and 35 said they were considering closure or termination of contract.

But another 28% of practices in the survey said they would consider termination of contract.

In total some 1,137 practices are members of Londonwide LMCs.

The survey found that 49% have staff vacancies while 37% have GP vacancies.

And 43% have a doctor who is planning to retire within the next three years.

The organisation’s chief executive Dr Michelle Drage said: “Half of London’s general practices are short a key member of staff, over a third are missing at least one GP. Whilst the remaining GPs, practice nurses and their teams are working flat out to fill in the gaps, they’re at breaking point and need help to deal with the growing complexity of London’s health needs.

“Without increased support, the future of community general practice looks decidedly gloomy: delivering current service with fewer staff is unsustainable and unsafe in the long term, let alone stretching to an extended seven day services.

“To secure the future of general practice for the citizens of London we need more resource and more support. And we need it now, before it is too late.”