Over 80% of UK GPs think patients are at risk in their surgery, survey finds

Doctors identify lack of time, staff shortages and heavy workloads as reasons for lack of safety

More than 80% of GPs believe that patients are being put at risk when they come into their surgery for an appointment, a new survey shows.

A poll of 1,395 GPs found only 13% said their practice was safe for patients all the time. Meanwhile, 85% expressed concerns about patient safety, with 2% saying patients were rarely" safe, 22% saying they were safe some of the time" and 61% saying they were safe most of the time".

91% said more GPs would help improve the state of general practices.

84% have had anxiety, stress or depression over the past year linked to their job.

31% know a colleague who was physically abused by a patient in the last year.

24% know of a member of general practice staff who has taken their own life due to work pressures.