An increasing workload could lead to GPs retiring early, the president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is warning.

Last year, GPs handled 63,000 patient visits every day, up by 12,000 from 2008.

Family doctors are mostly over 50, with 44 per cent intending to retire in the next ten years, and 22 per cent reporting feeling burnt out.

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners President Tim Molloy says "our health care system is facing a major strain".

"There is a risk that increased workload with no additional government support could accelerate some GPs' retirement plans at a time when we need more GPs not less," said Dr Molloy.

"At an absolute minimum we should be training 300 GPs per annum, we are currently training 200."

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman disagrees, saying there are enough medical students, now the government is trying to encourage them into general practice.

However, he admits it has always been challenging to get doctors to practice in remote areas.

(Source: 1News Now, Andrea Vance)