Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

What steps he is taking to ensure that patients can access a face-to-face consultation with their GP.

Recent NHS England guidance confirmed practices must offer both face-to-face and remote appointments and must respect patients’ preferences for care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary, such as the presence of COVID-19 symptoms. We know many areas of the country are experiencing high COVID rates and receptions may be closed for good reasons. Prior to the pandemic, approximatley 80% of appointments were face-to-face. In April, of the 1.2 million appointments, 55% were face to face and patients now have much more flexibility, with many preferring remote access.