Overstretched Sussex GPs still have too many patients on their books despite a small rise in the number of doctors.

Each doctor has an average of 1,613 patients. The British Medical Association's recommended maximum is 1,500.

Figures published by the Department of Health confirm there has been a slight increase in GP numbers but more are still needed.

At the end of 2002, the latest period for which figures are available, there were 1,587 GPs in the Surrey and Sussex Health Authority area.

This is the equivalent of 62 doctors for every 100,000 residents. The average for England is 63.

Twelve months earlier, the total was 1,571 - or 61 for every 100,000 patients.

Brighton and Hove has struggled to recruit new doctors, partly because of the high cost of living in the area.

The city also has problems with the quality of buildings some surgeries are based in, often converted shops or houses without proper disabled access.

New GPs prefer to work in large purpose-built buildings capable of providing up-to-date services.

A study last year found almost all surgeries in the city were either cramped, in poor condition or did not meet the standards demanded for disabled access.

Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust is working with GPs and patient groups to find ways to increase the range of treatments available in surgeries, such as minor surgical operations and specialist health clinics.

It is also backing plans by three Brighton practices to relocate on to one large modern site in Preston Road where they will be able to provide more services.

The new Brighton and Sussex Medical School is also expected to attract more new GPs as doctors tend to work in the area where they trained.

Long hours and extensive paperwork are another reason new doctors have decided not to become GPs.

The new GP contract means doctors can choose whether or not to provide out-of-hours cover, which should give them more time to spend on patients during the day.

Alex Farland, a GP from Worthing, said: "The problem is that many older doctors are now leaving the profession but not enough new ones are coming in.

"I think GPs are becoming more interested because of the changes with things like out-of-hours cover but there is still some way to go."

Health Secretary John Reid said the figures proved the Government was delivering on its promises but insisted there would be no complacency.

He said: "Although we have more GPs and consultants working in the NHS than ever before, I am well aware that we have more work to do to increase numbers further."

Last month, the Government predicted GP numbers would continue to rise after exceeding its target for the number of doctors in training.

Figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England showed 6,030 students enrolled in medicine in 2003.

The Government originally planned to reach a target of 5,894 by 2005.

John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA's general practitioners committee, is cautious about the increase.

He said: "There does at last seem to have been quite a substantial increase in GP numbers and we are pleased.

"However, the national increase is well short of the Government's own target and a very long way indeed below the 10,000 extra GPs which the BMA and the Royal College of GPs jointly calculated were necessary to deliver the NHS Plan."