Most practices in Northern Ireland are “struggling”, according to a new survey.

And one in ten practices said they were “barely coping” in the British Medical Association survey.

The situation is so bad that patients are to be asked to sign a petition over the summer calling for more resources for general practice.

The BMA said many practices were struggling to fill vacancies, especially in rural areas.

About 50% of practices said they expected retirements within the next five years.

Dr Tom Black, who chairs the BMA’s Northern Ireland GP committee, said some doctors said they struggled to take annual leave from their practice.

He said: “We knew the situation was bad, but the research showed clearly that primary care here is on the edge of a full blown crisis.

“We must find ways of securing general practice in the short term and evolve to a modern, sustainable model of general practice for the future to allow us to provide a service that meets the needs of patients.”