The first study of its kind has shown doctors are ‘feeling the pressure’ in North Somerset, according to the NHS, after it was found workloads have risen almost 20 per cent in seven years.

A study from the University of Bristol and Oxford University took in 100 million patient consultations in England, and found GPs had been swamped by the number of appointments rising by 16 per cent between 2007 and 2014.

Phone consultations are the cause of the majority of the rise, despite the fact they had originally been brought in to lighten doctors’ loads.

The Royal College of General Practitioners found weeks ago that North Somerset would need at least 35 new GPs by 2020 to cope with rising demand, both from the number of patients and amount of consultations they needed.

GPs’ time has been stretched even more by the length of appointments increasing, which has squeezed the amount of time they can spend on other aspects of their job, like teaching, auditing or professional development.

Its lead author, Professor Richard Hobbs, said: “The demands on general practice have increased substantially over the past seven years.

“Recruitment of new GPs and nurses remains low while the population in England steadily increases.

“In 2015, GPs in England reported having the lowest job satisfaction rates since records began in 2001.

“NHS plans to recruit an additional 5,000 GPs will take some time and, crucially, depend on an improved appeal of general practice as a career choice than in the present day.

“As currently delivered, the system seems to be approaching saturation point.”

Predictions say North Somerset will need more doctors to cope.

Only this month Mendip Vale Medical Practice in Congresbury had to become a morning-only surgery due to staff shortages caused by sickness.

And in many parts of the district there have been concerns voiced over a lack of GP cover at a time when more and more houses are being built.

A spokesman for NHS England, which is responsible for providing the area’s doctors, said pressures ‘have risen’ with increased demand on GPs in recent years.

They said: “GPs are key to transforming the way health services will be delivered in the future – but they are feeling the pressure of rising patient demand.

“This report demonstrates that pressures in general practice have risen in line with increased activity elsewhere in the NHS.

“We continue to work with others across the health service on a wide range of measures aimed at supporting GPs.

“We will soon announce further plans to boost the primary care workforce and tackle workload, ensuring general practice continues delivering a high-quality service for patients.”