Doctors are increasingly cutting their hours and refusing overtime as they try to improve their work-life balance, the medical regulator has revealed.

The General Medical Council warns the resulting staffing shortages will put patients at risk unless there is urgent action to tackle the trend.

It blames burnout and years of falling job satisfaction, with doctors choosing to 'take matters into their own hands'.

The GMC's annual report into the workplace experiences of doctors in the UK shows 19 per cent reduced their hours last year, compared with 8 per cent in 2021.

Furthermore, some 41 per cent refused to take on additional work in 2023, up from 23 per cent in 2021.

It says it can be better for patient safety if exhausted doctors opt out of extra hours. 

But it adds: 'If the trend continues unaddressed, the capacity of already stretched health services could be reduced even more, putting patients at risk.'

The news could be a blow to ministers after Labour vowed to ramp up evening and weekend work to try to reduce the backlog of care in the NHS.

According to the latest data, one in three doctors (33 per cent) were found to be 'struggling', meaning they are regularly working beyond their rostered hours and feeling unable to cope with their workload. 

Almost a quarter of doctors (23 per cent) took a leave of absence due to stress in 2023.

The GMC expressed concerns about the high proportion of doctors who say they are 'struggling', admitting it presents risks to patients and the rest of the workforce.

In 2023, 53 per cent of doctors reported being satisfied with their day-to-day work – a sharp fall from 70 per cent in 2021. 

Particular concerns have been raised about those in training who are 'more likely to be at high risk of burnout compared to any other group'. 

They are also the group most likely to be considering taking their skills overseas.

And nearly half (48 per cent) of GPs are said to be struggling. 

Fed up family doctors in England are already engaged in industrial action over their new contracts. 

Some have threatened to cut the number of appointments they offer by up to half.

Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC, said: 'We know that when doctors are overworked and under-supported there is a risk not only to doctors themselves, but also to patient care.

'These data show that more doctors are now taking matters into their own hands, not just to protect their own health and wellbeing, but that of their patients as well.'

The report says employers should develop more compassionate leadership; create more supportive environments, which are built on providing inductions for new joiners; and demonstrate that all healthcare professionals are properly valued.

Mr Massey added: 'Employers and healthcare bodies must respond urgently to the needs of their workforce.'

An NHS England spokesman said: 'We have been working to improve the training and working lives of doctors and we know there is more work needed, particularly recognising the risk of burnout.'