Dr Mike Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, which represents primary care groups, said doctors should do more to make exercise schemes available to their patients.

BBC: Depressed 'denied exercise help'

He suggest the money should be used by primary care groups - GP-led health management bodies - to offer longer opening hours and specialist services at a community level rather than by an individual practice.

BBC: GPs to offer longer opening hours

Meanwhile thousands of staff have already left the local management groups - primary care trusts - that they will replace.

BBC: Analysis: Why the NHS wants to move on