MORE than 2.5 million patients could see their GP surgery close in the next five years, a damning study suggests.

Doctors’ leaders warn the possible loss of 625 practices in England will have a “catastrophic” impact and pile pressure on remaining services.

It is likely to mean longer waits for GP appointments and push more people with minor illnesses to overstretched A&Es.

The Royal College of GPs calculated the figures based on surgeries where more than three-quarters of family doctors are aged 55 or over.

Those in this age group are more likely to take early retirement or quit due to stress and workloads.

The College says “drastic action” must be taken to persuade GPs to stay.

This includes spending an additional £2.5billion a year on primary care.

Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the RCGP, said: “We have more GPs in training than ever before, but if we have more GPs leaving than entering the profession, we are fighting a losing battle.”