MORE doctors are needed if extra GP appointments are to be offered out-of-hours, it has been claimed.

The government made a high-profile pledge in 2014 to introduce extended GP opening hours for every patient.

Wales' out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8am on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

In 2013, then health minister Lesley Griffiths said the Welsh Government was committed to introducing more accessible GP services with a focus on extended opening and access to appointments after 6.30pm.

But a study undertaken by the BBC shared data unit shows that five out of seven Welsh health boards currently provide no out-of-hours appointments after 6.30pm - one of which is Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

According to the study, BCUHB has the lowest proportion of GPs which offer appointments between 6pm and 6.30pm at least two days a week in Wales, at 11 per cent.

By contrast 66 per cent of Cwm Taf University Health Board's GPs offer appointments between 6pm and 6.30pm - the highest in Wales.

Wrexham GP Dr Peter Saul told the Leader: “The whole thing needs to be put into the context of severe pressure on primary care – we do not have enough GPs.

“That is why so many practices in North Wales are being run by the Health Board.

“And it is no longer a case of offering people more money, there simply is not enough time in the day.

“We need more GPs and staff in primary care. For over 10 years there has been more investment in hospital services than primary care and that needs to be reversed.”

Nationally, 8 per cent of GPs in Wales offer appointments after 6.30pm at least once a week, 26 per cent offer appointments between 6pm and 6.30pm at least twice a week and 20 per cent offer appointments before 8.30am at least twice a week.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We expect health boards to provide care to meet the needs of patients out of hours, but it should be noted that this isn’t necessarily all about GPs.

“The latest figures show that more appointments are now available for people at more convenient times, and we are working with Health Boards and GPs to improve access further.”

Dr Charlotte Jones, GP committee chair for BMA Wales, said: "BMA Cymru Wales has real concerns about the sustainability of out of hours services across Wales and have been highlighting this for some time.

“Pressures facing GPs across Wales are increasing and recruitment and retention challenges are putting the system under a real strain, leading to more choosing to leave the profession.

"BMA Cymru Wales has put forward a range of solutions to the government and Health Boards to ensure safe and sustainable services for staff and patients."

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been approached for a comment.