The health service is struggling to cope with a critical shortage of GPs across Sussex.

Department of Health figures show not enough doctors are working in large parts of the county, which is adding pressures on those already operating.

An area is classed as under-doctored if it has less than 55.55 GPs per 100,000 of a population.

Eastbourne Downs has the fewest doctors, 48.2, but Brighton and Hove (54.38), Crawley (53.80), Adur, Arun and Worthing (51.49), Bexhill and Rother (50.39), Hastings and St Leonards (49.95) and Sussex Downs and Weald (55.48) are all below average.

Mid Sussex has the most GPs, with 61.39, closely followed by Horsham and Chanctonbury (57.99) and Western Sussex (57.05).

There are currently ten vacant GP posts across Brighton and Hove.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust said: "It is well documented that the high cost of living in the South-East makes it hard for practices to recruit new GPs but one of the challenges we also face in Brighton and Hove is the poor quality of some of the buildings our surgeries are based in.

"Often they are converted shops or houses without proper disabled access. New GPs prefer to work in large, purpose-built premises which are better suited to providing 21st Century health care.

"Making Brighton and Hove an attractive place to train and work as a GP is a key priority for us. For example, we are currently working with GPs and patient groups on how we might expand the range of treatments available in surgeries, such as minor surgical operations and specialist health clinics.

"That would offer better career opportunities for doctors and nurses as well as ensuring patients are treated more conveniently closer to home rather than in hospital."

A recent study found almost all surgeries in Brighton and Hove were either cramped, in a poor condition or did not meet the standards demanded for disabled access.

It is hoped the new Brighton and Sussex Medical School will also encourage recruitment.