GP patient list sizes have increased by 8% in the last four years, according to a TUC analysis published today.

In September average list sizes stood at 2,100 per doctor, some 160 more than in 2015, the Trades Union Congress found. The analysis shows a 1,000 drop in the number of GPs in the period – with the greatest fall in the North East of England where numbers have fallen by 11%.

In the East of England, numbers fell by 7% – with NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough suffering from a shortfall of 178 GPs, the TUC found. In Birmingham and Solihull the shortfall is 172. The analysis is based on British Medical Association guidance suggesting 1,600 patients per GP.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Our hardworking and overstretched GPs are working tirelessly to help patients. But there are simply not enough of them to keep up with demand. As a result patients are not getting the treatments they need on time. And family doctors are stressed and overwhelmed. The next government must invest in our NHS and boost GP numbers.”

The BMA said the figures showed the need for the next government to “learn from the mistakes of the past.”

GP committee chair Dr Richard Vautrey said: “As we’ve said time and time again, there are simply not enough GPs to meet demand and guarantee safe, quality care to patients. And as doctors stretch themselves more thinly, they risk their own health and wellbeing. As this analysis shows, despite pledges to increase numbers by 5,000 by next year, we’ve seen the exact opposite – with hundreds fewer family doctors than we did in 2015.”