Overview

• From October 1, GP practices in England must keep online consultation tools open during core hours for non‑urgent requests, with practices expected to respond within one working day after triage.
• The BMA argues safeguards to stop urgent cases being submitted online have not been delivered and warns a surge in digital requests could cut face‑to‑face care and endanger patient safety.
• GP leaders have voted to enter a dispute and given Health Secretary Wes Streeting 48 hours to act, with options under review including a ballot on industrial action and measures such as daily consultation caps.
• Wes Streeting and the DHSC say the change was agreed with clear safeguards, highlight £1.1 billion in extra funding and 2,000 additional GPs, and confirm the rollout will proceed.
• Officials cite examples of improved access at practices already using all‑day online booking, including a London surgery that cut waits from 14 days to three, while the Patients Association calls for swift, safe assessment via any route.