More than one million people across southeast England contacted their general practitioner (GP) online in December 2025, according to figures released by NHS England, marking a significant increase in digital healthcare adoption.
The surge in online consultations – for both clinical and administrative requests – follows the introduction of fresh contractual requirements for all GP practices to offer the service during core hours. Across the southeast region, submissions more than doubled from 540,000 in December 2024 to 1.2 million in December 2025, NHS England reported.
The shift towards online access is part of a broader NHS initiative to enhance patient care and convenience, allowing individuals to manage their healthcare more efficiently. According to NHS England, the program aims to give patients online access to their health records, facilitate repeat prescription orders, and enable appointment booking.
Dr. Tim Caroe, director of primary care transformation in the South East, emphasized that the campaign is designed to inform patients about their options. “It’s about letting patients grasp they have a choice about how they gain help,” he said. He noted that online forms provide a flexible alternative to traditional phone calls or in-person visits, potentially reducing wait times and streamlining the process for both patients and healthcare providers.
Matt Stacey, a full-time worker from Kent, described the online system as “highly simple to follow,” allowing him to articulate his medical concerns in detail. “I could take my time to explain exactly how I was feeling, which isn’t always straightforward over the phone,” he stated. Stacey reported submitting a form at 7:00 GMT, receiving a call from the surgery within two hours, and securing an appointment for later that morning.
NHS England’s GP Online Services program supports practices in offering and promoting these digital services. The initiative is intended to save time for both practices and patients, and to empower individuals to take greater control of their healthcare. The program similarly supports patients in accessing their GP health records, including information on medications, vaccinations, and test results, as well as communications between their GP surgery and other services like hospitals.
Even as online services are expanding, patients retain the option to contact their GP by phone or in person. NHS guidance indicates that patients can choose from multiple online health service providers, depending on their GP surgery’s offerings. Some pharmacies also offer branded apps and websites for prescription ordering, potentially becoming a patient’s regular pharmacy for repeat prescriptions.
NHS England has not yet announced specific targets for further increases in online GP consultations, but continues to promote the availability of the service through public awareness campaigns.
