Booking GP appointments to be ‘made easier with upgrade of phones’

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he wants to end the ‘8am scramble’ of patients phoning surgeries in the hunt for a slot.

Ministers aim to make it easier for patients to book GP appointments (Anthony Devlin/PA) (PA Wire)

Patients will be able to contact their GPs for an appointment more easily under Government proposals to improve access to primary care.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said practices will be handed £240 million this year to introduce online booking tools and upgrade telephone systems, as ministers aim to end the “8am scramble” of patients ringing surgeries for a slot.

More receptionists will be trained, with their role expanded so they can asses patients’ needs and speed up the booking process.