DISTRICT doctors are unlikely to join a national strike over stress and rising workloads.

At least 100 surgeries across the country are predicted to join the action in protest at extra workloads and shorter appointment times.

Wyre Forest doctors considered joining the strike on May 1 but have put patients first.

District GP association chairman Dr Jim Goodman said: "It has been considered. We would like to show our discontent but feel it would have an unnacceptable impact on patients.

"I can fully understand why others may want to take action."

Dr Goodman warned last month GPs may quit due to their predicament.

He said: "If anything morale has gone down further and stress increased since then."

Up to 1,000 surgeries are expected to be register their protests with action ranging from striking, wearing badges, and sending bouquets to the girlfriend of Alan Milburn, the Health Secretary.

A major complaint is about extra work caused by the NHS plan for England, announced by Mr Milburn last July.

Dr Goodman said GPs had been affected by Government directives such as 24-hour access to GPs and around-the-clock primary care centres.

The Department of Health has promised an extra 2,000 GPs but the British Medical Association has said more than 10,000 are needed to meet Government demands.