A Sussex doctor says a major shake-up of services is needed if GP morale is to improve.

Doctors across the county are being balloted by the British Medical Association on whether they would be prepared to resign if agreement is not reached with the Government on new contracts.

Hove GP Nigel Higson said there needed to be fundamental changes.

He said: "I have a commitment to my patients so I would not resign but morale among GPs at the moment is at an all time low.

"We are spending more of our time filling in forms and sitting in committees leaving us no time to get on with seeing and treating patients.

"Fewer and fewer people are coming into general practice and even more are leaving.

"Action needs to be taken now to stop things from getting any worse."

The move by the BMA to ballot 36,000 GPs throughout England could herald the threat of a mass resignation by family doctors over delays in thrashing out a new employment deal with ministers.

In the NHS Plan published last year, the Government said it was committed to modernising GPs contracts, but the BMA says talks have not yet begun and accused ministers of "dragging their heels" over the issue.