DOCTORS' surgeries in the area have scored well in a new system that tells patients how easy it is to get an appointment with a GP.

Surgeries will display a certificate showing their rating in the A is for Access scheme, a set of locally-agreed standards for five key access services.

Both Town Gate and Vauxhall practices in Chepstow were awarded the maximum five As, the Caldicot Medical Group and the Mount Pleasant practice got four and the Wyedean practice in Tintern got three.

The standards are: having a first appointment before 8.30am, being open during lunchtime, last appointment is 5.50pm or later, a member of staff answers the phone between 8am and 6.30pm and patients can book an appointment with a single call or online.

Caldicot Medical Group, Mount Pleasant and Wyedean do not have appointments before 8.30am and the Tintern surgery does not have a late appointment.

The scheme has been developed by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board with local GPs and the Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council and is the first of its kind to be launched in Wales.

Dr Neil Statham, chair of the Gwent Local Medical Committee said: "GPs and their teams are working harder than ever before and are having over 30 per cent more consultations than 10 years ago yet delivering higher quality outcomes than English practices.

"GP practices in Gwent have demonstrated and remain committed to the delivery of high quality services and outcomes for their patients."