GPs in England treat up to three times more patients than safety limit demands

A doctor takes a woman's blood pressure. Some GPs in England have as many as 90 appointments a day. Photograph: MBI/Alamy

GPs are struggling to cope with as many as 90 appointments and consultations a day – more than three times a recommended safety limit.

General practices in England are carrying out more appointments than before the pandemic but face severe workforce shortages. More than 1.45 million patients waited at least 28 days to see a GP in September, according to the most recent NHS figures.