Overview

The 2025/26 GP contract introduces new digital access requirements aimed at improving patient access and streamlining information sharing. This guide outlines what practices need to do to ensure compliance and take advantage of digital transformation opportunities. 

Key Digital Mandates

·      Mandatory online GP appointment requests must be available during core hours by October 2025.

·      GP Connect must be enabled to allow patient record sharing with NHS and private healthcare providers (with consent).

·      Community Pharmacy consultation summaries will be automatically shared into GP workflows.

·      Practices must publish a "Patient Charter" outlining patient expectations for digital access.

Action Points:

·      Ensure online appointment request systems are fully implemented by October 2025.

·      Enable GP Connect integration to comply with new record-sharing requirements.

·      Work with IT providers to streamline pharmacy consultation summaries into GP workflows.

·      Publish the Patient Charter on the practice website and in patient-facing materials.

Online Appointment Booking – What’s Changing?

·      From October 2025, practices must offer an online system where patients can:

o   Request an appointment during core hours.

o   Request administrative or medication queries.

o   Receive digital responses when appropriate.

·      Online access must not replace traditional telephone and in-person booking but should work alongside them to reduce patient frustration.

Action Points:

·      Work with existing clinical system providers to ensure online access is live and meets compliance deadlines.

·      Inform patients and staff about the new online request system.

·      Ensure triage processes are in place to manage digital appointment requests efficiently.

GP Connect – Ensuring Compliance

·      All practices must enable GP Connect to allow NHS and private healthcare providers to access read-only patient records (with consent).

·      This includes:

o   Accessing past consultations and test results.

o   Medication history visibility for pharmacists and specialists.

o   Integration with the NHS App and other digital platforms.

Action Points:

·      Enable GP Connect access for your practice through your clinical system provider.

·      Train staff on what information is shared and how to handle patient consent.

·      Ensure data-sharing agreements are in place where necessary.

Community Pharmacy Consultation Summaries

·      Pharmacies will now send consultation summaries directly into GP workflows.

·      This aims to reduce administrative delays and ensure GPs have real-time access to patient interactions outside general practice.

Action Points:

·      Ensure your system can receive and process pharmacy consultation summaries.

·      Inform GPs and admin teams about the new pharmacy-GP integration.

·      Develop a workflow to review pharmacy consultations where necessary.

Patient Charter – What Must Be Included?

·      Every practice must publish a Patient Charter, outlining:

o   How patients can access care digitally.

o   Expected response times for online queries.

o   Guidance on appropriate digital use and availability.

·      The charter must be available on practice websites and in patient-facing areas.

Action Points:

·      Draft your practice’s Patient Charter based on NHS England guidelines.

·      Publish the Patient Charter on your website and share with patients.

·      Train staff on communicating digital expectations to patients.

Next Steps

🗓 April 2025 – Practices should begin digital transition planning.

🗓 October 2025 – Online appointment access and GP Connect must be fully implemented.

Immediate Actions:

·      Review IT systems and workflows to meet compliance deadlines.

·      Engage with digital service providers to ensure readiness.

·      Train staff and communicate changes to patients.