Overworked doctors are increasingly taking steps to look after their own wellbeing, the General Medical Council (GMC) has warned.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“The GMC survey exposes the enormous strain on overstretched NHS staff.

“Trust leaders and their staff are working hard to deliver high-quality patient care but persistent pressure is sapping doctors' morale and causing burnout. Stress, anxiety and depression remain the top reasons for thousands of staff being off work sick.

“It’s worrying that more doctors are at high risk of burnout now compared to before the pandemic and that day-to-day satisfaction among them has fallen since before Covid-19.

“Heavy workloads, long hours, staff shortages and long waiting lists are cited while more doctors say they don’t feel valued. It’s a real concern that junior doctors, many of them at an early point in their NHS careers, are particularly at high risk of burnout and taking steps to quit.

“Leaders of NHS trusts work hard to support the wellbeing of staff and improve working conditions but to nurture the thriving workforce that an NHS fit for the future needs it’s important that the Long Term Workforce Plan is implemented fully and backed by full funding.”