26/09/2025
From 1st October 2025, the Government has said that all GP surgeries must offer unlimited routine online requests for patients from 8-6.30pm.
We have carefully discussed this, both within our practice and with other local GP surgeries. Like them, we feel that bringing in this change without extra staff or resources would be unsafe for patients and unsustainable for practices. Unfortunately, this would create very long and potentially harmful waiting lists to see your GP. These changes have been brought about without the relevant safeguards in place for patients.
Our top priority is always your safety and the quality of care you receive. We do not believe we can guarantee this under the new system as it currently stands.
Together with other local surgeries, we have written to our local NHS (ICB) to explain our concerns. This is also a national issue, and the British Medical Association (BMA) is continuing discussions with the Government to try to agree on a safer and more workable way forward.
We are keeping in close contact with our patients, our Patient Participation Group, and our practice team as this develops.
This has been a very difficult decision for us, but at the moment we feel we have no other choice.
Thank you for your understanding and support.