GPs England Online Booking Threat

GP Concerns Over New Online Appointment System

Key Information:

• New System: Patients can request appointments online between 8am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, starting this Wednesday.
• BMA Concerns: The British Medical Association (BMA) claims the government broke a promise to implement safeguards ensuring only non-urgent consultations were booked online.
• Potential Impacts:
  • Overloaded GPs
  • Risk to patient safety (urgent issues potentially missed)
  • Hospital-style waiting lists in general practice
  • Fewer face-to-face appointments
• BMA Action: The BMA has given the Department of Health 48 hours to implement promised safety measures and may ballot GPs for industrial action.
• Government Response: Health Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed the BMA’s concerns and stated the changes will proceed as planned.