Doctors warn patient safety at risk as face-to-face GP appointments decline

In England, significant changes to the GP appointment booking process were implemented on October 1, 2025, mandating all GP practices to accept queries and booking requests through an online form during business hours. This shift has led to a concerning trend where a third of general practitioners (GPs) reported a reduction in face-to-face appointments, raising alarms about patient safety. A survey conducted by GP magazines Pulse and Management In Practice revealed that 25% of practice managers believe these changes have jeopardized patient safety, particularly for those with serious health conditions.

The data from NHS England indicates a steady decline in the proportion of face-to-face appointments, with only 60.2% of patients seen in person in June 2026, down from 62.9% in June 2025 and 64.9% in June 2024. This trend has prompted concerns from patient groups and Members of Parliament, who argue that the shift towards remote consultations could lead to missed diagnoses, especially for critical conditions like cancer. The British Medical Association (BMA) has formally disputed the government's changes, emphasizing the increased workload and the potential risks associated with patients detailing urgent health issues online instead of seeking immediate help.

Dr. Manu Agrawal, deputy chair of the BMA's GP Committee, criticized the current online request system as unsafe, arguing that it diverts attention from urgent cases and increases bureaucratic demands on GPs. He highlighted that every request must be reviewed by a GP to ensure timely identification of urgent cases, which is not feasible with the current system. The BMA has likened the new approach to consumer behavior, suggesting that it treats GP services like booking a cinema or hairdresser appointment, which undermines the seriousness of healthcare needs.

In response to these concerns, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care stated that GPs are still required to provide face-to-face appointments alongside remote consultations. They also noted the recruitment of 2,000 additional GPs since July 2024 and an investment of £1.7 billion over two years to enhance GP services. Despite these efforts, the BMA warns that without adequate resources, patient safety could be compromised, leading to increased crisis care costs and GP burnout. The ongoing debate highlights the need for a balance between modernizing healthcare access and ensuring patient safety through adequate face-to-face consultations.