GP practices across England now have to offer online booking
New GP rule in force to prevent ‘8am scramble’
- From 1 October, all GP practices in England must offer online appointment bookings for non-urgent requests throughout their working hours.
- The new requirement aims to reduce the daily '8am scramble' for appointments and improve patient access and convenience.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) has opposed the plans, warning of potential patient safety risks, missed serious health issues, and a possible increase in “hospital-style waiting lists”.
- The BMA has said it will consider industrial action, arguing that promised safeguards and additional staff have not been provided to manage the expected increase in online requests.
- This move aligns with broader government and Labour Party initiatives to digitise healthcare, including plans for an NHS online hospital to provide millions of virtual appointments.