The state's peak doctor body says that Launceston is at least 20 general practitioners short of the number needed.

Only two GP practices are taking new patients and it is not unusual for some patients to wait up to three weeks to see their regular GP.

This is despite Tasmanian GP numbers reaching 597 in the latest annual division survey.

This year's public hospital cuts have already started to bite at GP level as doctors struggle to get specialist appointments for patients on waiting lists, even before getting them listed for elective surgery.

Australian Medical Association Northern chairman Glenn Richardson said yesterday that he writes two letters for patients in need of specialist attention.

``One is for the specialist and one of is for casualty staff at the Launceston General Hospital so that they know what is going on with the patient if they have to be rushed there in the middle of the night,'' Dr Richardson said.

``Patients are sicker than they otherwise should have been by the time that they get attention.''

Tasmanian Rural Doctors Association president Meryl Gray said it was worse in rural areas.

``Our patients can't easily get into the emergency department at the (city) hospital,'' she said.

``If one of my patients has a gastro-intestinal problem they have to go on what is called the appointment list for the hospital - then they have to wait three to four months just for an appointment and probably another 12 months for the procedure.''

Dr Gray said that the biggest worry facing country GP was finding replacement practice doctors for a increasing number of doctors approaching retirement.

``Our practice at Oatlands and Campbell Town has just got someone from overseas and we have been looking for three years,'' she said.

Dr Richardson said that GPs were concerned about the federal government's plan to means test the private health insurance rebate.