A LEADING regulator has highlighted a 'dangerous level of alienation' and 'state of unease' in the medical profession as pressure mounts on health services.

The General Medical Council (GMC) today released its annual report and hightlighted 'intense pressure' of hospital deficits and suggested falling A&E performance figures and ambulance response times had worsened morale.

It added: "The signals of distress are unmistakeable.

"There appears to be a general acceptance that the system cannot simply go on as before - there does need to be early and concerted action."

At a rally in Oxford last month local junior doctor Nadia Randazzo agreed that 'morale is low' across the NHS.

Local Keep Our NHS public chair Ken Williamson, who helped to organise the rally in Bonn Square, said they were working to 'defend the health service, which works extremely well, from being wilfully destroyed.'

Despite some bleak findings the report also stressed UK healthcare 'remains among the best in the world', and said figures show the gender gap between male and female doctors is closing.

It also said medicine is becoming more ethnically diverse. 

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The dedication and sheer hard work of our NHS doctors is absolutely crucial to delivering world-class care for patients.

"As the report makes clear, the standard of care provided by doctors working in the UK remains among the best in the world.

"The Government is investing £10 billion to fund the NHS's own plan to transform services for the future."

The report comes amid concerns over the state of certain medical services in Oxfordshire, including the downgrading of the maternity unit at Horton General Hospital.

Health campaigners also warned today that management changes to overstretched GP practice Kennington Health Surgery could lead to ‘chaos’.