Speaking to the conference, she was due to say: “Do not take us for granted. Do not make any rash decisions about our service or introduce gimmicks that might be vote winners but would ultimately set back general practice 20 years. History has taught us that access targets in general practice do not work. We must learn from those lessons, not repeat them.

“We must first be offering what our patients need, not what politicians want. If unrealistic targets are imposed on our profession, it will crumble, and if general practice crumbles, patients won’t be able to see a GP, at all.”

She added: “Our members are telling us they are more optimistic, but that the workload is still unmanageable; that many GPs are working unsafe hours and it is taking its toll on their own health and wellbeing; that many are scared about the impact this is having on their patients.

“Yes, we have promises for more investment into general practice – and there are very welcome signs this is finally getting to the frontline. But many GPs are still telling us that running a practice is unsustainable; that they are planning to hand back the keys and that they plan to leave the profession sooner than they would have done.”