The loss of dozens of local surgeries is increasing health inequalities in the UK, senior GPs claimed today.

An investigation published today suggests that 474 premises have closed since 2013 and that centralising GP services has reduced access for many people. The Pulse investigation found that closures most often occurred in deprived areas – and that sometimes patients had to travel miles to find another surgery.

Dr David Wrigley, deputy chair of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, said: “Losing your GP practice and having to move to another means losing the vital continuity of care that keeps people well, improves health outcomes and which makes general practice the bedrock of the NHS in the UK. For smaller practices, already on the sharp end of the workforce crisis in general practice, the loss of just a single GP has the potential to be catastrophic for a community.

“That these closures are also happening in the most deprived areas of the country is doubly worrying, as we move into a winter that will be defined by a terrifying rise in living costs and in particular sky-high increases in fuel costs which will impact the most vulnerable in our society. Increased social deprivation will only exacerbate existing health problems, leading to further pressures on the remaining practices.”

He added: “The Government needs to see the workforce crisis in general practice as part of the wider social picture, and its long-awaited and urgently-needed NHS workforce strategy must include a credible plan to reverse the long-term decline in GP numbers and prevent more practices closing and people’s health suffering as a result.”

Royal College of GPs chair Professor Martin Marshall said: “The impact of a practice closing on its patients and neighbouring practices can be considerable. When the reason for closing a practice is workload pressures, and not being able to fill vacancies, then this needs to be addressed urgently.”