ICBs have been given powers to issue warning notices or cancel the contracts of GPs who refuse to meet grant contractual duties to provide online access to patients.
The move to allow patients to request appointments online throughout the day, which was implemented on 1 October, was opposed by the BMA who said who warned it could cause an online triage tsunami.
Minister of state for care Stephen Kinnock held a call with ICB leaders on 3 November to identify areas that are struggling to rollout online access to primary care and see what more the Government can do to support them.
The DHSC warned ICBs can take formal action against any practices refusing to meet their contractual duties, including issuing warning notices, applying sanctions or in serious cases, ending contracts.
GP reaction
BMA GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall said: ‘At the start of this year, the Government promised GPs across the country that they would implement the necessary safeguards for online consultations that would enable practices to operate safely and prevent patient harm. However, we've not seen this and practices across the country are struggling to operate with the barrage of requests coming in. This means extending staff hours, and reducing time spent with patients to make space to review online written requests – and so even longer waits for patients to see their family GP.
‘GPs spending more time doing admin than spending face-to-face time with their patients is not the success the Government thinks it is. GPs are overworked, practices are at capacity and patients will still be waiting to see their GP. GPs will always embrace new technology but only as long as it is safe to do so. Things will only get worst unless the Government sticks to its promise and ensures necessary safeguards are implemented to guarantee this national policy change is effective, efficient and safe.'
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said practices struggling to provide online access ‘need practical support and investment, not censure'.
