Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of face to face GP appointments.

On 22 September 2022, we announced “Our Plan for Patients,” which contains measures to help people make an informed choice about which practice is best for them, book an appointment more easily, benefit from more options when they need care and bolster general practice teams with other professionals who can help them. This should increase the availability of appointments, including face-to-face appointments.

NHS England guidance is clear that GP practices must provide face to face appointments, alongside remote consultations, and should respect preferences for face-to-face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary.

Remote consultations can provide additional choice, flexibility and convenience for patients. However a blended offer of face to face and remote consultations is important because remote access is not suitable for all patients or in all circumstances. We expect patients to experience the same high quality of care regardless of how they access their GP surgery.