PATIENT safety is being put at risk by overtired and stressed out doctors, according to a new report.

The study, from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), found huge issues with rota gaps in hospitals around the country and some doctors so busy they have no time to get a drink of water.

Many are discouraged from taking naps on night shifts despite evidence they would perform far more safely after a short sleep, it said.

The findings are part of a wider report on how the NHS is suffering due to an overstretched workforce, a recruitment crisis and underfunding.

Under a radical shake-up of health services across Dorset, a Clinical Services Review proposes to designate Royal Bournemouth Hospital as the county’s major emergency hub and Poole Hospital for planned care with a 24-hour urgent care centre. The plans will go to public consultation in the next few months.

Martyn Webster, Healthwatch Dorset manager said: "The NHS can't afford to go on like this. Funding isn't increasing in line with rising demand and rising costs and the NHS is heading towards a crisis.

"People across Dorset are telling us that waiting times are getting longer, appointments and operations are being cancelled and patient care is being affected. For some doctors and other health workers the workload is now so demanding it's increasing the potential risk to patient safety. It really is time to stop talking about the situation and instead do something about it.

"Our NHS in Dorset has already recognised this and has launched a full-scale review of how our health services are provided.

"We want to encourage people to take part in the consultation when it happens, to find out more about the proposals and, most importantly, to make their views known."