More than eight in 10 GPs report high stress, with rising patient expectations and persistent staff shortages cited as the main factors, according to new survey findings from the Medical Defence Union.
The survey of 1,302 doctors explored the impact of workplace pressures, stress and fatigue on wellbeing and patient safety. It found that 85% of GPs had increased stress levels and 44% reported poor mental or physical health due to pressures.
Increased patient expectations (86%) and staff shortages (66%) were the most commonly reported pressures that were placing significant strain on GPs.
More than a quarter (26.4%) of the 417 GPs and trainee GPs respondents cited poor leadership and management as a workplace pressure over the last 12 months.
And nearly two thirds (65%) said that the fear of patient complaints was a pressure, found the survey, which was conducted between February and March 2026.
More than half (52%) of GPs have considered reducing their working hours due to workplace pressure, and 37% have thought about leaving medicine altogether, according to the survey.
The findings also highlighted concerns about fatigue, with 37% of GPs saying they were regularly sleep deprived.
The main causes of tiredness were difficulty switching off after work and being unable to take breaks because of high patient demand.
The survey revealed that 46% of GPs felt able to tell a colleague when they experienced extreme tiredness at work.
A GP responding to the survey said: ‘Workload continues to increase due to less availability in secondary care. We are looking after more complicated patients with no increase in knowledge and experience. This raises risk of complaints and stress along with a feeling of inadequacy.’
GP respondents identified a reduction in workload pressure as the most effective measure to support their long-term wellbeing.
But the survey also found that 60% of doctors were not confident that workplace pressures would improve over the next year.
Almost half had considered reducing their working hours, while one in five were actively looking to work abroad.
Dr Udvitha Nandasoma, head of advisory services at the MDU, said: ‘These findings paint a stark picture of a healthcare workforce continually being pushed to the limit. Doctors want to provide the best possible care for their patients, but unsustainable pressure, understaffed services and increasing workloads are leaving them exhausted and demoralised.
‘It’s no surprise that many doctors tell us they are considering leaving the profession altogether, but we can’t afford to lose skilled and dedicated professionals in this way. This should act as a wake-up call to Government and healthcare leaders to prioritise support for doctors, which will improve both retention of healthcare staff and patient safety.’
The MDU is calling for an ongoing commitment to continue funding for programmes and services that support doctors at risk of burnout, such as NHS Practitioner Health.
Last November, an RCGP poll found that nearly a third of GPs may leave general practice within five years, with stress the main factor for their decision to go.
It found that 28% of GPs feel ‘so stressed they cannot cope’ at least once a week. And 73% said that patient safety was being compromised by their workload pressures.
Findings from MDU survey of GPs and trainee GPs
- 37.2% of GPs have considered leaving the profession due to workplace pressures.
- 85% of GPs have increased stress levels.
- Staff shortages (65.5%) and increased patient expectations (86%) are the most commonly reported pressures placing significant strain on GPs.
- 43.9% of doctors report poor mental or physical health due to pressure.
- 51.8% of GPs have considered reducing working hours due to pressure.
- 37% are regularly sleep deprived at work – 13% on a daily and 24% on a weekly basis.
Source: MDU
