Cockermouth GPs are urging patients to "consider their options" before booking an appointment.

Due to a staffing shortage and an increased demand for appointments, Castlegate and Derwent surgeries, based at the town's community hospital, are asking people to consider if they really need to see a GP or if a visit to a pharmacist would be the better option.

Two doctors are leaving the surgeries in the next couple of months.

While a new doctor is due to start in August, they are struggling to recruit.

due to a national shortage of GPs.

At the moment, waiting time to see a GP is a week.

Suzanne Hughes-Rudd, practice manager, said: "Compared to national levels, that is great. However this is not always the case and last month people were having to wait three weeks to see a GP.

"We are more worried about what will happen come winter and want to start preparing for that now.

"We want to get the message out that patients do not always need to see a doctor.

"They can help us by using the services appropriately and considering their options prior to requesting an appointment with a GP.

"By this we mean using your local pharmacy's minor ailments scheme, which covers infections, nasal and cough congestion, skin allergies or itches, pain and inflammation plus many more.

"The surgery also now has a highly skilled nursing team which includes four nurse prescribers who can deal with many problems, for example chronic disease management – diabetes, hypertension and asthma as well as minor ailments.

"It’s about trying to get some patient support and acknowledging that there are different ways to seek healthcare advice before the winter months are upon us again.”

Last month, 389 people failed to turn up to booked appointments with GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants.

"Last months we had 77.5 hours of lost appointment time, this just adds to the pressure we are under," said Mrs Hughes-Rudd.

The practice has recruited its first advanced nurse practitioner.

Mrs Hughes-Rudd said: "Nurse practitioners are highly experienced professionals able to examine, manage and prescribe for patients across a wide range of conditions."

The practice has 11 GPs, five of which are full-time.

Dr Kirsti Harnor is leaving next month and Dr Helen McArdle will be leaving in September.

Mrs Hughes-Rudd said: "We still remain positive that we can attract doctors to live and work in our gem of a town.

"We are asking patients to spread the word that we are recruiting for doctors, it may be that family members or friends work in the profession and are looking for a change or perhaps finishing training."