Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department is having with GPs on (a) demand for services, (b) average waiting times and (c) the availability of face-to-face appointments as covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The Department has regular discussions with NHS England and NHS Improvement general practitioner representatives and professional bodies.

On 20 May 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement updated the guidance and standard operating procedure for general practice, confirming that practices should be offering remote and face to face appointments with the appropriate member of the practice team, taking account of patient need.