Overview

• From October 1, GP practices in England must keep online request systems open 08:00–18:30 Monday to Friday to curb the 8am rush.
• Ministers say the rollout is backed by £1.1bn and recent GP hiring, arguing easier digital access will free up phone lines and reduce pressure elsewhere in the NHS.
• Practices are required to publish a new ‘You and Your GP’ charter and to tell patients within one working day what will happen next after a request.
• Day‑one reporting shows inconsistent delivery, with some surgeries limiting hours or pausing online forms once they judge they have reached safe capacity.
• The BMA and frontline GPs warn of increased workload and patient‑safety risks, calling for explicit safeguards such as the ability to switch off online requests and raising the prospect of work‑to‑rule action.