The survey, commissioned by the BMA to look at public attitudes to the NHS and doctor unemployment, reveals 61% of respondents have little or no confidence in the Government's plans to cut how many people wait more than four hours in Emergency Departments, while 65% have little or no confidence that the Government will restore the maximum 18-weeks people wait for treatment from their referral.

In addition, more than 90% said it was important, or very important that the Government takes action to fix the ongoing issue of doctor unemployment.

The results were published as part of a speech given in Liverpool by Professor Philip Banfield, the BMA's chair of council, at the opening of the association's annual conference in Liverpool.

Prof Banfield said the public shared the doctors' scepticism and that ‘if Wes Streeting wants to be remembered for saving the NHS, rather than joining the long line of those who broke it, then this is his chance. Ultimately, the detail will show if it's a genuine plan to reform the NHS and value its staff, or just another press release dressed up as progress.'

With the announcement of the Government's 10-Year Plan expected in the coming weeks, Prof Banfield said this Government must not make the same mistakes as previous ones have.

He said the plan needs to address doctor unemployment and ‘whether resident doctors continue to face unemployment from ludicrous specialty bottlenecks. Another debacle that the NHS has been aware of for years, but hasn't lifted a finger to resolve, let alone taken any responsibility for.'

He added: ‘My message to governments is clear – doctors should be the ones to train the next generation, to drive innovation and learning, and you need to pay them what they are worth.'

In response, a DHSC spokesperson said: ‘This government is committed to working hand-in-hand with doctors and healthcare professionals to deliver the reform our NHS needs.

 ‘We have already announced a programme to modernise the regulation of healthcare professionals across the UK, creating a system that better protects patients and supports our medical workforce through our Plan for Change.'