Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to roll out digital inclusion to assist people to access digitalised health services, including (a) repeat prescription services and (b) advice to reduce pressure on primary care.

NHS England is supporting primary care to move towards a digital first approach, where patients can easily access the advice, support and treatment they need using digital and online tools, such as receiving advice, booking and cancelling appointments, having a consultation with a healthcare professional, receiving a referral and obtaining a prescription.

The digital first programme supports the delivery of access to primary care and helps patients manage their health. The NHS Long Term Plan commits that every patient will have the right to be offered digital-first primary care by 2023-24.