General practitioners across England are threatening to take action against government plans to expand online booking for GP appointments, warning it could unleash a surge of demand that risks overwhelming surgeries.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has given ministers 48 hours to implement safeguards before the new system begins on Wednesday. The policy aims to tackle the so-called 8am scramble by allowing patients to request appointments online between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The BMA claims ministers have broken promises made in February, when a deal was reached with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to introduce “necessary safeguards” before the October deadline. The union argues that extending online booking to all patients will swamp GPs and compromise safety.
Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA’s GP committee, warned the rollout “will likely lead to the creation of hospital-style waiting lists in general practice”.
The BMA has cautioned that GPs may end up spending too much time managing a constant stream of digital requests, leaving fewer opportunities for face-to-face consultations. It has also raised concerns that current online systems cannot distinguish between urgent and non-urgent cases, creating risks of delays in diagnosing serious conditions.
In a statement, the union said: “Doctors will need to be reallocated away from booked appointments to manage the potential online triage tsunami, leading to fewer GP appointments with patients.” It warned that practices already overstretched could see routine care disrupted by the influx of online requests.
If ministers fail to act, the BMA has suggested it may ballot GPs on potential industrial action, including capping the number of patients they see. Some GPs have already taken similar steps in protest against contract changes earlier this year.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has dismissed the concerns, confirming the rollout will proceed as planned. The DHSC said the reform “delivers on our manifesto promise to end the 8am scramble. Patients can now contact their GP digitally whenever suits them during core hours, not just in that frantic morning rush.”
The department added that online booking is about “choice and convenience”, noting patients can still phone or walk in if preferred. Officials argue that increased digital requests will ease pressure on phone lines for those who need to call.
Some GP surgeries in England have already introduced the system, with the DHSC claiming it has led to “a smoother workflow and better service”.
Patient groups have welcomed the drive for easier access but stress that safety and speed must remain the priority. Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: “Patients should feel confident that when they book or request an appointment, whether online, on the phone, or in person, their needs will be assessed swiftly and safely by someone with the right training and skills to judge urgency.”
