The British Medical Association (BMA) has given the government 48 hours to implement safety measures it says were promised but not delivered before the rollout of a new online appointment booking system in England, warning that GPs will be overwhelmed by a 'triage tsunami'.
From Wednesday, patients will be able to request a consultation online between 8am and 6.30pm weekdays under a deal struck between the BMA, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in February. The union claims ministers broke a promise to introduce safeguards ensuring only non-urgent queries are made online before the system goes live.
The BMA’s GP committee chair, Dr Katie Bramall, said the move 'will likely lead to the creation of hospital-style waiting lists in general practice'. The union also warned that family doctors will see fewer patients face to face because they will be diverted to assessing the all-day stream of online requests, and that urgent problems could be missed entirely.
The BMA says practices are already understaffed and overworked, and that the new system risks patient safety. It is considering balloting GPs on industrial action, such as limiting patient numbers, which some did last year over contract changes.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed the concerns and said the changes will go ahead. A DHSC spokesperson said the system 'delivers on our manifesto promise to end the 8am scramble' and offers choice and convenience, noting that some GP surgeries already using it report smoother workflows. The Patients Association added that patients want fast access to advice and care, and should have their needs assessed swiftly and safely regardless of how they book.
