GP practices in Gwent are set to be star-rated on ease of access for patients to appointments and telephone bookings.

But health chiefs warned that the rating system must be carefully applied so patients do not mistake it as a measure of the quality of care provided.

The innovative scheme is part of ongoing efforts by Aneurin Bevan Health Board to maximise patients' access to the area's family doctors and the range of services they provide.

Recent surveys by health watchdogs and other organisations have revealed that waiting times for appointments, opening hours and half-day closing at surgeries is a bugbear for many patients in Gwent and beyond.

In Gwent, the health board is developing an access accreditation scheme, based on a five-star grading system indicating performance against five key areas: Morning opening time/consultation start time; doors remaining open during lunchtime; last routine appointment time; telephone access to staff member from 8am-6.30pm; 'sort it in one call' - the ability to make an appointment in one call or through an internet booking.

Board members welcomed the idea, to be consulted upon through the Gwent Local Medical Committee, the GPs' representative body.

But health board chairman David Jenkins stressed the need for careful implementation.

"I wouldn't want patients to think the star rating related to the quality of care offered," he said.

"We have other methods of measuring quality and it is important the distinction is made here."

The aim is for practices to be able to display an accreditation certificate in reception areas.

The board has also adopted a process for agreeing exceptional circumstances for practices not meeting access requirements, for instance smaller and singlehanded practices.

In cases of last resort, remedial notices may now also be issued, which could pave the way for termination of contracts for general medical services.