Scotland could lose hundreds of family doctors as a result of Brexit, GPs have claimed.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Scotland said that 226 GPs north of the border took their primary degree from a European Economic Area (EEA) country.

And it warned that the possible loss of those doctors from Scotland could have serious implications for patient safety.

The body argued that the workforce is already stretched, and called on the UK Government to guarantee that EU healthcare workers who are already working in Scotland will be able to stay.

The issue is highlighted in the RCGP Scotland manifesto, which sets out its priorities for political parties ahead of June's general election.

RCGP Scotland chair Dr Miles Mack said: "There is already a projected deficit of 828 whole-time equivalent GPs in Scotland, by 2021.

"To learn that Scotland could face the loss of an additional 4% of its already stretched GP workforce is extremely worrying. It is one in 25 of Scotland's GPs. It could negatively affect over 226,000 patients in Scotland.

"We are calling for government to safeguard the GP workforce during international negotiations by guaranteeing the status of healthcare professionals already working in Scotland and the UK."

Figures released last June showed that numbers of whole time equivalent GPs had fallen by 90, or 2.4%, since 2013, he said.

"We are now faced with a possible removal of a further 226 GPs who, as nationals of other EU member states, might be lost to the workforce if their status is not protected," Dr Mack went on.

"Again, we must call for immediate action to prevent that clear harm to the health service."

Dr Mack added that surveys have shown a "considerable percentage" of GPs in Scotland plan to leave the service soon as a result of overwork and underfunding.

"An enormous and urgent effort is required in Scotland to save general practice," he said.

Health secretary Shona Robison said: "The contribution of EU and EEA nationals to our NHS cannot be overestimated. Doctors, nurses and care workers from across Europe help to staff our GP surgeries, our hospitals and our care homes.

"In the Scottish Government we've made clear our view that, as a priority, their right to live and work in this country must be protected, as well as our ability to attract their successors in years to come."