The NHS will force "virtual GPs" to open physical practices in an attempt to address growing shortages of doctors in many parts of the country.

Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS will announce that companies offering NHS patients appointments by Skype must also open a local surgery offering face-to-face appointments.

It follows warnings that hundreds of villages have lost their GP surgery amid a deepening crisis across the country, which is hitting rural areas hardest.

On Wednesday, leaders of the British Medical Association (BMA) warned that “shameful” shortages of GPs have left family doctors managing a “dangerous” workload.

Now health officials are to publish proposals to ensure virtual services can safely help more patients seeking online and video consultations. And they will insist the firms behind them set up local practices to treat those who want to be seen face-to-face.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary has repeatedly said that every patient should be offered smartphone consultations, as part of efforts to put the NHS on a “digital first” footing.

But critics have raised concerns that private companies offering such services can “cherrypick” younger healthier patients, without offering face-to-face appointments which sicker, older patients may need.

On Thursday NHS England will release new proposals to change the funding formula, to better reflect workloads of different practices. The plans will also say that every virtual company will have to set up local practices.