New data from across the South East shows a strong and growing trend for online GP consultations, with patients increasingly choosing quick, convenient digital routes to get the help they need.

This shift is hugely encouraging, and the hope is that even more people will feel confident using online forms with the launch of a brand‑new NHS campaign, designed to raise awareness and make accessing GP care even easier.

These trends follow the introduction of new contractual requirements. Since 1 October 2025, all GP practices in England must offer online consultations for both clinical and administrative requests during core hours.

The change supports the NHS 10-year health plan, which aims to deliver more care within communities and ensure patients can access appointments with a wider range of healthcare professionals.

Across the region, from Kent to Sussex through to Reading and Slough, GP practices have embraced both online consultations and cloud-based telephony to meet rising demand and offer greater flexibility and choice for all patients, whilst ensuring nobody is left excluded.

The latest data up to December 2025 for the South East region shows:

• GP practices are receiving over 1 million online submissions per month.
• Overall submissions have more than doubled, rising from 540,000 in December 2024 to 1.2 million in December 2025.
• Clinical submissions have increased from 58% of all submissions (Dec 2024) to 72% (Dec 2025) — a strong sign of growing patient confidence in using online forms for health concerns.

NHS England has launched its ‘GP Online Access’ campaign to help patients understand that there is another easy way to contact their GP practice — by submitting a simple online form via their practice website or the NHS App.

Patients can still choose to phone or visit the practice in person, but online forms offer a flexible alternative for those who prefer it.

Running from 9 February to 31 March 2026, the campaign includes online video, radio, digital audio, social media, search advertising, PR and community partnerships.

Dr Tim Caroe, Director of Primary Care Transformation in the South East, said: “Millions of people are now contacting their GP practice online without needing to wait in the early‑morning queue.

“Practices are offering more appointments than ever, and this campaign is about letting patients know they have a choice about how they get help.

“The rise in online clinical submissions over the past year shows people are growing in confidence, and we hope even more will feel comfortable using this quick, convenient option.”

One patient, who works full‑time and now uses online forms regularly, described how the option has improved his experience.

Matt Stacey from Kent said: “The main reason I chose the online consultation was because I work full‑time, usually during all the hours the surgery is open. Using the online form was much easier and quicker than waiting on the telephone.”

“It was very simple to follow. I could take my time to explain exactly how I was feeling, which isn’t always easy over the phone.”

He added: “I submitted the form at about 7am while having breakfast, went to work, and within a couple of hours the surgery called to say the doctor had reviewed it and could see me at 11am. From sending the form to being seen that same morning — it was so fast.”

“Because I get recurring chest infections, I need help quickly. Using the online form means I can contact the practice straight away, even in the middle of the night. It’s straightforward, it’s read, and it’s answered — and I’d definitely recommend it.”