Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued to GP surgeries implementing the digital front door to ensure non-digital access routes remain available to patients unable to use online services.

In February 2025 the General Practitioners Committee England agreed to make it a contractual obligation for all general practices (GPs) to offer access to online services throughout core hours, from 8:00am to 18:30pm, bringing online access in line with walk-in and phone access. There is a broad support offer available from NHS England and integrated care boards where practices are struggling to meet this requirement.

The GP Contract requires that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, so those without digital access are not disadvantaged.

We are clear that online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP.