Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to increase funding for new IT systems and technology for GP practices to improve (a) booking systems and (b) the exchange of information with secondary care providers.

It is up to general practices (GPs) how they manage their own appointment booking systems to meet the reasonable needs of their patients.

NHS England has commissioned the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to undertake a review of the clinical interface between GP and hospital services. The final report is expected soon and will be considered by the Department.