Patients at nearly all GP practices (98.7%) in England can now access their surgery online, thanks to government changes allowing patients to submit online consultation requests open during work hours (8am to 6.30pm).
A record 8 million online requests were submitted by patients in October after the requirement was introduced, News Cover reports, citing UK government.
This was an increase of one-fifth on the previous month and an increase of two-thirds on last year.
For the first time the Office for National Statistics Health Insight Survey shows that, of those who completed this survey, more contacted their GP practice online than by phone.
Improving access to general practice is vital in easing pressures on other parts of the health system, especially ahead of winter. Currently around 4 million patients attend A&E every year with non-urgent issues because they can’t access their local GP, heaping unnecessary demand on already overcrowded hospitals.
Online requests will be a critical tool for these patients and the health service this winter, providing flexibility and convenience.
