From the ageing population to a chronic staffing shortage, there are no end of reasons commonly given for the crisis afflicting General Practice.

But, until now at least, no one has sought to lay the blame at the trotters of a cartoon character adored by millions of children - none other than Peppa Pig.

That, however, is precisely the thrust of a new article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which blames Peppa’s highly dedicated and responsive GP, Dr Brown Bear, for single-handedly fostering unrealistic expectations about family doctors.

The august publication has highlighted no fewer than three examples in which the fictional GP, who later displays symptoms of “burnout”, provides “clinically inappropriate” home visits or prescriptions.

It is even suggested Dr Brown Bear is fuelling the rise of antimicrobial resistance, which officials have warned risks returning medicine to the Dark Ages.

First aired in 2004, the show has become wildly popular and is viewed in around 180 countries.

The BMJ author, Sheffield GP and mother Dr Catherine Bell, believes that “exposure to Peppa the Pig and its portrayal of general practice raises patient expectation and encourages inappropriate use of primary care services”.

In the first example, Dr Brown Bear makes an urgent home visit to a three-year-old piglet with a facial rash.