Four out of five GP practices say they are failing to keep up with demand from patients – despite a survey suggesting family doctors carried out more than 500,000 appointments in one week alone.

The figures come from a new survey of general practices across Scotland carried out by the British Medical Association.

It also found that in 88% of practices, at least one member of staff has been subjected to verbal or physical abuse in the last month and 78% said the situation has worsened since May.

A total of 375 surgeries across Scotland took part in the BMA Scotland survey, which is 41% of GP practices.