As many as 74 practices in Wales are at risk, according to a new assessment.

There are 49 practices that have applied to health boards for help – and another 25 that have doubts about their future, according to the British Medical Association.

Some 13 practices have closed in the last two years.

The BMA said the number of practices at risk had increased and was “of grave concern.”

Its Welsh GP committee collected data from local medical committees and has compiled a map showing where the practices are that are at risk – as well as where practices have already closed or been taken over by the health board.

Committee chair Dr Charlotte Jones said that practices were getting “patchy” help from health boards.

She said the findings were “of grave concern and clearly reflects the pressures facing practices, which vary considerably across Wales.

“GPC Wales encourages practices to seek help early on by contacting their local medical committee for support and professional advice, as well as completing the sustainability assessment framework to allow practices to take a global view of their current position.

“Any practice struggling should apply to their health board for support. This may be financial, administrative or managerial, and local medical committees are represented at the sustainability panel meetings.”