Doctors have given a cautious welcome to Government plans to invest millions of pounds in GP services.

Health minister John Hutton said £22 million was being used for measures designed to boost the number of NHS family doctors in England.

Sussex-based doctors have welcomed the commitment but say there is still a lot to be done.

Mr Hutton said: "People know, trust and respect their GP and practice staff and want to see them properly supported."

The Government is spending an extra £13 million over two years to ensure each newly-qualified GP receives up to 20 days of higher professional education in their first year at work.

GPs often say they feel ill-prepared to work independently fresh from training.

A further £9 million will help increase the number of training practices in areas where there are not enough doctors.

Worthing GP Martin Elliott said: "Obviously this is welcomed but it is not just newly-qualified doctors that need to be considered.

"There are older and more experienced doctors leaving the NHS in droves because they can no longer cope with the vast increase in patients and poor pay.

"Government demands to meet various standards also means more doctors are spending time on paperwork rather than seeing patients."