PEPPA Pig has been blamed for giving people “unrealistic” expectations of GPs.

Writing in the BMJ Christmas issue, Sheffield GP Dr Catherine Bell warned that the children’s television show “raises patient expectation and encourages inappropriate use of primary care services”.

Mum to a toddler, Dr Bell said her theory came after hours of watching Peppa Pig with her daughter. The smash hit show features a score of animal characters and is centred on young heroine Peppa, a piglet.

In the spoof piece she writes: “As a general practitioner I have often wondered why some patients immediately attempt to consult their GP about minor ailments of short duration. As the mother of a toddler and frequent witness to the children’s television series Peppa Pig, I might have discovered the answer.”

The Sheffield GP examined three “case studies” where characters in the show have approached Dr Brown Bear.

They include one episode, where a three-year-old pony manages to infect his playgroup, friends’ parents and Dr Brown Bear with a cough.

Discussing the case, Dr Bell writes: “Dr Brown Bear displays signs of ‘burnout’. His disregard for confidentiality, parental consent, record-keeping and his self-prescribing indicate that the burden of demand from his patient population is affecting his health.”

Toothill GP Dr Peter Swinyard – also chairman of the Family Doctor Association - joked: “The lady who researched this did good science.”