A UK doctor has praised New Zealand's COVID-19 approach on locking down the country early and says he's disappointed with the situation in the UK. 

With more than 700,000 confirmed cases so far, Dr Asad Khan, Respiratory Physician at Manchester Hospital says it's been a "very very difficult time".

"We have quite a number of acute hospitals here and some of them are already full," he told The Project on Wednesday.

"We have fewer than the normal number of doctors that we'd have at this time of the year, and that's because a number of them are off with COVID or they are having to self isolate because they have been in contact with COVID."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a three-month lockdown from March 23 after COVID-19 reached the UK in late January.

On July 4, Johnson decided to ease lockdown restrictions by allowing pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to open. 

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However, the second wave of infections hit after new cases doubled to 6000 a day in September.

On September 22, Johnson announced new measures to combat the second wave of infections, including a 10 pm curfew on pubs and restaurants, no more than 15 people at weddings and a return to working from home.

Dr Khan says the UK is just playing catch up after loosening restrictions when they weren't ready for it.

"I do think that there is an example in New Zealand of how an effective lockdown can work if it's implemented at the right time. I think we're… it's too late now. We got it wrong the first time and actually whatever we do now is just playing catch up."

"It is probably a good opportunity for New Zealanders to take some pride in their achievements," he said. 

"I think the team of 5 million have achieved a wonderful feat that is an example for the world - it's just a shame that we couldn't' follow that example."