URGENT action is needed to avert a funding crisis that could result in some rural GP practices becoming unviable, say councillors.

Jim Clark, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council's Scrutiny of Health Committee, has written to NHS chiefs warning that without swift action some communities in rural areas could be left with inadequate local health care.

"We have great concern over the long-term funding of GP services in North Yorkshire," said Councillor Clark.

"It is essential that GP practices are properly funded, particularly in rural areas where the cost of providing local access is so much higher."

Concerns about rural provision were raised during a meeting of the Scrutiny of Health Committee in Whitby.

Discussion centred on the implications of changes to the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee system, part of the financial framework that supports GP practices.

Many doctors have voiced fears over the changes, including one North Yorkshire GP who estimates that his practice could lose around £78,000 a year.

Such funding shortfalls would pose serious threats to the viability of practices.

Following the meeting in Whitby, Councillor Clark wrote to NHS England, the main body responsible for commissioning GP services, calling for urgent action to address the threat.

The meeting also considered recent positive reports by the Care Quality Commission on health services provided by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, and the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

"For both trusts, however, the CQC did express concerns over nurse staffing levels on wards caring for elderly patients," said Councillor Clark.

"The Scrutiny of Health Committee will be working with both trusts to make improvements in this area of care."