Millions more people are using online consultation requests to contact their GP practice each month.

6.5 million online consultation requests were submitted to GPs in September, up half compared to the same period last year.

From the beginning of October, every GP practice in England has been required to keep their online consultation platform open for the duration of their working hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and admin requests.

Online is now the most popular way for people to contact GP practices.

20.1 million face-to-face appointments were delivered in September 2025.

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s national director for primary care and community services, said: “We know how frustrating it is for patients and practices when people are unable to get through on the phone to their practice, particularly first thing in the morning.

“That’s why we’ve upgraded thousands of GP telephone systems and started to offer more modern options such as submitting their initial request online to fit around people’s busy lives – freeing up phone lines for the most urgent cases in the process.

“And we’re starting to see the positive impact this is having with seven in ten adults saying it was easy to get through to their practice, up from six in ten in 2024.

“While more GPs are telling us that it has made their lives so much easier by making online consultation requests available to patients.”

Secretary of State Wes Streeting said: “This data is crystal clear: more patients are seeking GP appointments online – even before the requirement came into place on 1 October. In the 21st century, patients expect the ease, convenience and flexibility of managing their healthcare online.

“We are grateful to the majority of practices who have been delivering this service successfully.

“For too long patients have been held hostage by our outdated, analogue system of the 8am scramble on phone lines causing stress, difficulty and long waits to get through and get appointments.

“Patients want this change and we’re delivering it – we’ve put in £1.1 billion extra funding, provided the support, and now it’s time for the few lagging practices to get on board, move with the times, and provide the service patients deserve.”