Six GPs in Hampstead Garden Suburb joined hundreds of others throughout the country to protest against what they claim are intolerable working conditions and a healthcare crisis.

The GPs, from Heathfielde Medical Centre, held an emergency-only surgery on Tuesday as part of National Doctor Day organised by Doctor magazine.

Dr Simon Gibeon, from the Lyttelton Road centre, said he and his partners had decided to join the protests because of their concerns at the way the NHS is "crumbling".

"There are so many things that are wrong," Dr Gibeon said. "So many doctors have lost interest in general practice. Medical students are less likely to choose general practice as a career." He said doctors were not being paid enough and were being lumbered with an increasing paperwork.

"We are meant to be GPs looking after patients and keeping up-to-date with our medical work. I don't want to get involved with the financial running of the general practice.

"I think that is the way most GPs feel they want to be hands-on and not administrators and collectors of statistics."

A spokesman for Barnet Health Authority said it recognised that GPs were working under pressure and wanted to bring more in, adding that it is also looking to agree a new contract for GPs.

"Neither the BMA nor any main doctors' associations are supporting this day of action and closing surgeries does not help patients and does not help secure a new contract."

A recent survey by Doctor magazine found that:

91 per cent of GPs are stressed;

87 per cent said NHS reform was adversely affecting their morale;

80 per cent would leave the NHS if they could;

80 per cent would not recommend their job to a youngster