Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of patients unable to secure appointments with their GP due to (a) digital exclusion and (b) lack of telephone access.

General practices (GPs) and other National Health Service organisations are encouraged to support patients to use online routes where this would be convenient for them, and there is work to improve the usability of digital tools so that they are accessible to larger numbers of patients. However, a choice of access routes should remain available.

As outlined in the GP Contract, digital services should be provided in addition to other channels for accessing GPs, such as in person visits, rather than as a replacement. Practice receptions should also remain open to ensure that those without access to a telephone or online services are not disadvantaged.