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GPs have slashed their hours by more than ten per cent over the past decade, a study found.
Meanwhile NHS patient numbers are up and they have more illnesses, resulting in longer waiting times.
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The poll found doctors worked an average of 26 hours a week in 2022, down from 30 in 2015.
It included part-time GPs but not overtime hours.
There was also a 2.7 per cent drop in appointment hours but patient lists went up nine per cent.
The number of people with long-term illnesses also rose 32 per cent.
Manchester University’s Dr Rosa Parisi told the British Journal of General Practice: “We fear GPs are unwilling or unable to face more intense day-to-day pressures.
“It is also down to early retirement, insufficient numbers of newly trained GPs and a lack of overseas recruitment.”
Male GPs were more likely to cut their hours.
Dr Parisi added: “Policies are desperately needed to incentivise them to work longer.”
A separate poll said a third of people find it hard to contact a GP.
The Lib Dems say ten million this year have waited a month or more.
