The figures show 6.5 million online consultation requests were submitted to GPs in September 2025, up half from 4.4 million in September 2024. 

From 1 October, every GP practice in England has been required to keep their online consultation platform open for the duration of their working hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and admin requests. 

GP practices continue to offer face-to-face appointments, with 20.1 million delivered in September 2025.          

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England's national director for primary care and community services, said: ‘We know how frustrating it is for patients and practices when people are unable to get through on the phone to their practice, particularly first thing in the morning. 

‘That's why we've upgraded thousands of GP telephone systems and started to offer more modern options such as submitting their initial request online to fit around people's busy lives – freeing up phone lines for the most urgent cases in the process. 

‘And we're starting to see the positive impact this is having with seven in ten adults saying it was easy to get through to their practice, up from six in ten in 2024.'

Secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting, said: ‘This data is crystal clear: more patients are seeking GP appointments online - even before the requirement came into place on 1 October. In the 21st century, patients expect the ease, convenience and flexibility of managing their healthcare online.

‘We are grateful to the majority of practices who have been delivering this service successfully.'