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37% reported being unable to cope with their workload at least weekly, while 24% cite insufficient support from senior colleagues as a barrier to patient care, compared with 33% and 19% across the UK; 52% highlighted poor organisational leadership, compared to 45% across the UK; and 69% identified patient flow or bed pressures as a barrier to safe care, well above the UK average of 56%.

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Concerns about the state of hospitals were echoed by Dr Andrew Lansdown, a consultant endocrinologist in Cardiff who claimed many are under "immense pressure" and that patients are being treated in "inappropriate, undignified and unsafe places, like corridors or chairs".

He warned that over half of doctors in Wales say they cannot access the equipment or services they need.

"The system is at breaking point. Many patients in Wales are waiting weeks to leave hospital, costing the NHS millions every month, because community care services don't have the staff or resources to get them home," he said. "We desperately need radical transformation of social care in Wales."

Dr Williams, a consultant medical oncologist at Velindre in Cardiff, added: "Wales can be a great place to train and a great place to work - but we need to get the basics right - rest and food facilities, protected time for education and training and investment in clinical leadership.

"The next Welsh Government must invest in our medical workforce, tackle the causes of ill-health and ensure social care is properly funded."