New GP booking rules: what patients need to know
Effective from 1 October 2025, new national guidelines have changed how GP practices handle appointment bookings. These updates aim to improve access to care and reduce waiting times by ensuring patients are assessed promptly and directed to the most appropriate service.
What’s New?
Under the new rules, GP practices must:
- Provide a same-day assessment or contact for any appointment request made between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Following the assessment, patients will either:
- Be offered an appointment (in-person or remote),
- Be referred to another NHS service, or
- Be signposted to a suitable alternative, such as a pharmacy or urgent treatment centre.
- The goal is to ensure patients receive timely care from the right professional, reducing delays and easing pressure on GPs.
Why the Change?
This initiative is part of the Government’s broader healthcare recovery plan, designed to respond to increasing patient demand and limited resources. It encourages GP practices to make better use of their full clinical teams, including nurses, pharmacists, and other support staff, to improve efficiency and patient experience.
Concerns from GP Representatives
While the changes are intended to benefit patients, some GP leaders have voiced concerns:
- Patient safety safeguards may be lacking.
- Practices are worried about insufficient funding and support to implement the changes effectively.
- There are fears about the impact on GP workloads and long-term sustainability.
- The British Medical Association (BMA) has entered a formal dispute with NHS England over these issues.
- Discussions are ongoing, but GP services remain operational, and patients should continue to contact their practice as usual.
What You Can Expect as a Patient
- When you contact your GP practice, you’ll receive a same-day assessment of your needs.
- You may be offered an appointment or directed to another service that can help more quickly.
- Reception teams may ask for more details to ensure you’re connected with the right care provider.
- These changes are designed to make accessing healthcare simpler and faster, helping you get the care you need, when you need it.
Read Healthwatch North Yorkshire’s report to learn more.