Changes implemented by the Labour party mandating online booking systems for GP practices in England have raised concerns among medical professionals, who warn that patient safety is being jeopardized by a decrease in face-to-face consultations. Since October 1, all GP practices are required to handle appointment queries and bookings online during weekday business hours. However, a survey indicates that this shift has led to fewer in-person visits.
A poll of 330 general practitioners and 242 practice managers revealed that 32% have been compelled to reduce the number of face-to-face appointments they offer as a direct result of the new booking requirements. Furthermore, 25% of respondents believe the changes have put patient safety at risk. The survey, conducted by journals Pulse and Management In Practice, suggests that remote interactions make it more difficult for GPs to detect early signs of serious illnesses, such as cancer.
Data from NHS England shows a downward trend in face-to-face GP appointments, with a corresponding increase in remote consultations via phone or online platforms. In June, 60.2% of patient appointments were conducted in person, a decrease from 62.9% in June 2025 and 64.9% in June 2024.
Patient advocacy groups, Members of Parliament, and the British Medical Association (BMA) have also voiced apprehension regarding the potential risks associated with the new system. Dr. Manu Agrawal, deputy chairman of the BMA's GP committee, stated that the survey results align with the committee's view that the online request system is unsafe.
In response, the Department of Health and Social Care has pointed to the recruitment of 2,000 additional GPs since July 2024 and affirmed that GPs are mandated to offer both face-to-face and remote consultations. NHS England reported that GPs conducted one million more in-person appointments in June compared to the same month in the previous year.