NHS confirms more online appointments with GPs
NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW have announced that they will be providing an extension to online appointments across the region from October 1 (Wednesday); which will be implemented by all GP practices and offers residents a more convenient / quicker way of accessing required medical support.
GP practices will provide online consultations from 8am to 6pm and can be used for various reasons, including describing symptoms, getting advice, requesting prescriptions, and managing some conditions. While the practice is open, patients are able to visit face-to-face, call them or go online using the practice’s website or the NHS App.
If residents need urgent help for their physical or mental health when the general practice is closed, and they cannot wait until they re-open, they should go online to visit the 111 NHS website or call 111. They should be able to advise callers about what they should do to resolve their current situation as quickly as possible.
This step is part of the NHS 10-year health plan and follows a drive to ensure that patients have access to more care in their communities as well as quicker services. GPs are further required to publish their patient charter on their website from the same date setting out what patients can expect from their practice as well as how patients can support their GP team.
Director of Primary Care and Local Care, James Roach, stated that: “Our GPs are working harder than ever before and are seeing record numbers of patients each week. By extending the online consultation hours, it will also allow each practice to prioritise those patients needing urgent care. Patients now have options regarding how they contact their GP, some may prefer to call them, and others may prefer to complete an online consultation, and our GPs are working differently to meet this demand.”
Deputy Director of Primary Care, Keeley Ellis, added: “As well as extending the online consultation hours, we are also asking patients to help support their local GP practice. We are asking patients to cancel bookings if they no longer need them, so that the time can be given to help support another patient, be prepared ahead of any appointment and ensure that you order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time. All of these things will allow our GPs and those working in the practice to prioritise patients who need urgent help and support.”
Patients can help support their local GP teams by being prepared for their appointments using steps such as writing down symptoms or what they want to talk about; thus reducing anxiety for them and making consultations as easy as possible for both parties. Arriving on time and cancelling appointments would be beneficial whether possible.
Using the NHS app or website is further helpful if patients can do this due to the benefits, such as booking / cancelling appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and seeing test results online. Turning notifications on and ordering repeat medication on time can lead to less delays, whilst patients are encouraged to join the Participation Group that offers feedback on services.
GP practices are also home to a range of different specialists from physiotherapists to learning disability care coordinators, social prescribers and paramedics. When patients contact your practice, they may be offered an appointment with one of these specialists if they are best placed to help them on their road to recovery.
The ‘It Takes a Team’ campaign was launched in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in March 2025 to highlight the brilliant people we have working in our GP practices. Further information about the campaign and the different specialist roles that are now available to help and support patient is available on the It Takes a Team website.
PICTURED BY NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW: GP services will be offering more online consultations from 9am to 6:30pm starting on October 1 across the region.
