The government is allocating £240m in funding to general practices across the country in a bid to end the 8am rush and support technology development.
An average sized practice of 10,000 patients often receives more than 100 calls in the first hour every Monday, data reveals.
Now patients are set to be able to contact their general practice more easily and quickly as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of primary care, the government and NHS will announce this week.
Practices across England will be given £240 million this year to embrace the latest technology and replace old analogue phones with modern systems so patients can get the care they need faster.
This is set to mean when patients contact their practice online or over the phone, they will know on the day they make contact how their query will be managed, rather than being told to call back later.
The government says it is committed to modernising the way patients contact their GP surgery, improving satisfaction, and delivering on the Prime Minister’s promise to cut waiting lists.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay will announce a major expansion of the role of receptionists to become expert “care navigators”.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are already making real progress with 10% more GP appointments happening every month compared to before the pandemic.
“I want to make sure people receive the right support when they contact their general practice and bring an end to the 8am scramble for appointments.
“To do this we are improving technology and reducing bureaucracy, increasing staffing and changing the way primary care services are provided, which are all helping to deliver on the government’s promise to cut waiting lists.”
