A sharp rise in digital access to GP services across the North West is providing the clearest indication yet that the NHS’s shift toward digitally enabled healthcare is accelerating.
According to figures released by NHS England North West this week, more than one million people contacted their GP using online forms in January 2026, a significant jump from 750,000 digital contacts in December 2025 — representing almost a 40% increase in just one month.
The data highlights the growing role that digital channels now play in primary care access, as patients increasingly use online systems to request advice, submit symptoms or arrange appointments.
While face-to-face care remains central to the healthcare system, the pace at which digital interaction is expanding is reshaping how services are accessed and delivered.
Digital Access Is Becoming the NHS “Front Door”
The increase in online requests reflects wider changes being introduced through the NHS’s long-term strategy to modernise access to primary care.
Patients can now contact their GP practice at any time through online forms accessed via practice websites or the NHS App. These submissions are automatically linked to the patient’s record and triaged by the practice team, who may provide advice, arrange appointments or direct patients to other services such as community pharmacies.
Alongside the surge in digital contacts, GP practices across the region delivered 3.8 million appointments in January 2026, with around 60% still delivered face-to-face.
The message from NHS leaders is clear: digital tools are not replacing traditional care but expanding the ways patients can access services.
Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England North West, said:
“Providing additional ways of accessing general practice means it will be easier for people to get in touch with us. For those who like to use online services, having access to online forms will be great for them — but we’ll still be contactable, as always, by other routes too.”
Part of a Wider Digital Health Strategy
The rapid growth in digital access reflects wider reforms taking place across primary care.
In recent years the NHS has rolled out the Modern General Practice Access programme, encouraging practices to adopt digital triage systems and online consultation tools.
Further changes to the 2026 GP contract mean practices are no longer allowed to cap the number of online requests they accept, and clinically urgent digital submissions must be handled the same day.
The NHS App has also become a central part of the strategy, acting as a digital “front door” for services including repeat prescriptions, appointment management and now online consultations.
Similar trends are emerging across other regions. In the South East, online requests have more than doubled in a year, rising from 540,000 in December 2024 to over 1.2 million by December 2025.
What This Means for the Wider Care Sector
While the latest figures relate to primary care, they reflect a broader shift taking place across the healthcare system.
Digital access to services is becoming an increasingly important part of healthcare delivery — not only for GP practices but also for organisations providing community care, residential services and long-term support.
For care providers, this transition is placing greater emphasis on the importance of reliable digital infrastructure and connectivity.
Care homes are increasingly required to support:
• Digital communication with GP practices and healthcare teams
• Access to online patient systems and care records
• Telehealth and remote consultation tools
• Connected monitoring devices and clinical technology
As more elements of healthcare move online, the resilience and reliability of digital infrastructure across care environments becomes increasingly important.
The Infrastructure Behind Digital Care
Behind the rapid growth in digital healthcare access sits a critical but often overlooked factor — connectivity.
Reliable broadband, secure networks and resilient communication systems are now essential components of modern healthcare environments.
For care providers, ensuring the right digital infrastructure is in place will be increasingly important as the NHS continues to expand the role of technology in supporting patient access and clinical decision-making.
The rise in digital GP access is therefore not simply a story about new technology adoption, but about the wider transformation of how healthcare services are accessed and delivered.
A System Continuing to Evolve
The surge in online GP requests is the latest sign that the NHS’s long-term digital strategy is gaining momentum.
For patients, it offers greater convenience and flexibility in accessing care.
For healthcare providers, it presents both opportunities and challenges as services adapt to new models of access.
As digital healthcare continues to expand, the role of robust connectivity and digital infrastructure across care settings will only become more significant.
Sector Insight Invitation
As part of the Care Circle Network’s ongoing Infrastructure & Connectivity coverage, we welcome insight from organisations supporting healthcare providers in areas such as:
• Connectivity and network infrastructure
• Secure communications and telephony systems
• Digital healthcare platforms
• Clinical monitoring and telehealth technologies
These perspectives help ensure the conversations taking place across the Care Circle Network reflect both the operational challenges providers face and the expertise available to support the future of digitally enabled care.
