Getting an appointment with your GP might seem like a challenge sometimes.

But despite perception, the number of appointments has gone up - although the number of family doctors is on the decline.

In Dorset, there is a shortage of GPs.

We asked top officials in Dorset if the county was experience a GP crisis.

Dr Paul Johnson, chief medical officer, NHS Dorset said the issue locally was akin to the national picture.

"There is a shortage of GPs; some areas more affected than others.

"There are some areas of our county where it is harder to recruit particularly in the west where it is more remote.

"Bournemouth and Poole are not immune but it's not same level of struggle.

"What we have realised is the value of different specialists and different clinicians other than GPs and why it's essential to have different teams to help."

Specialists like physiotherapists, practice nurses and pharmacists are just some of the people who can help and reduce the pressure on GPs.

Dr Johnson reducing the pressure on doctors would rely on "the fact that you don't always have to se your family doctor".

When asked if the era of the family doctor was over, he said: Yes and no. Your doctor doesn't have to do everything.

"But continuity of care is really important. That's where you should see your GP and you're much better off seeing your family GP or same small team.

"We need to do what we can to help keep it going."

NHS England figures show there were the equivalent of 484 full-time GPs in the NHS Dorset CCG area at the end of May.

This was down from 502 in June 2021 the most easily comparable figures from last year.

Of them, 280 were partners, 114 were salaried GPs and 68 were in training.

There were also 10 regular locum GPs, and 12 GPs on retainer.