PATIENTS' access to appointments with their GPs appears "exceedingly limited" in many parts of Gwent, with waits of more than two weeks not uncommon, according to a health watchdog survey.

Gwent Community Health Council (CHC) hopes the findings of its mystery shopper-style research will trigger "a much-needed debate."

But a GPs' representative said that while justifiable concerns should be addressed, the survey is a "snapshot" that ignores issues such as access for acute problems.

The CHC contacted 93 practices across Gwent, to sample access and availability, on the basis that the caller was a patient of the practice.

Questions covered availability of routine appointments, last daily appointment times, when surgeries closed for the day, and half-day and lunchtime closing arrangements. Among the findings were: Only four of the 13 surveyed practices in Torfaen offered an appointment inside the GP contract limit of two weeks; Nine of the 22 surveyed in Newport either could not give an advance appointment or were longer than two weeks; Twenty of the 29 surveyed across Caerphilly closed for half a day each week; At least 14 of the 16 practices surveyed in Blaenau Gwent close for one afternoon a week, three close for two afternoons a week, and one for three afternoons.

The survey report concludes there is "substantial variation" in availablity of GP appointments, and "accessibility... appears to be exceedingly limited in many parts of Gwent."

CHC chief officer Cathy O'Sullivan said these issues are regular concerns for patients.

"Since practices now close on Saturdays, people are entitled to expect reasonable access to their GP during the week. Current arrangements are often particularly difficult for people who work and need a later appointment," she said.

Dr David Bailey, chairman of the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association in Wales, welcomed the report and said it is for Local Health Boards to take action where necessary.

"This is a snapshot and we must be sure it is an accurate representation. Also, it does not look at acute access," he said.

"Bookable appointments can be the source of conflict in small practices. But we are not trying to defend bad practices and if concerns are justified, action is required."

"We support the idea of practices trying to be as receptive as posible to patients and are talking to the health minister about ways of improving bookable and advance appointments."