One of its doctors is moving back to Africa and the other is retiring.

Also, a South Launceston GP is set to retire, which will see a further 2000 people looking for a doctor.

Doctors estimate that the two Launceston practices served up to 6000 patients between them.

A number of those patients would gradually be absorbed by other doctors, General Practice North's Phil Edmondson said.

GP North has 140 doctor members.

About 300 city patients have already headed out of town and to Keith Downer, a new UK-trained general practitioner working from rooms at Evandale.

Hobart-based international recruitment agency Ochre Recruitment is optimistic it will soon find another overseas-trained doctor to join Dr Downer.

Overseas-trained doctors can work only in rural areas during their first 10 years in Australia.

Mr Edmondson said the Five Ways closure put additional pressure on the city's GPs.

"The nature of a GP is, where possible, they will try and take up the slack where it exists," Mr Edmondson said.

"There is no set solution. It is an unfortunate reality and this won't be the last time we are going to see (closures) in Launceston. It always gets worse when a practice closes."

On top of the loss of the Launceston doctors, another two long- serving inner Launceston GPs have said they plan to retire next month.

According to the AMA, urban Launceston is running 15 general practitioners short.

Like other cities, Launceston is big enough for a 24-hour clinic, but there are not enough doctors for such an exercise.

Super-clinics, like the 24-hour operations interstate, could also be emotionally and physically draining, Dr Lamplugh said.

Another doctor said working in such a practice was akin to a "sausage factory", seeing upwards of 40 patients a day.

Eventually, as more doctors emerged from university and internships, Launceston would be seen as an attractive GP proposition, Dr Lamplugh said.

•CAN'T FIND A DOCTOR? Call Danielle Blewett on 63367111.