Review digital exclusion in NHS GP practices and produce national guidelines

Many older people struggle to book appointments because of long phone queues, limited appointment availability, online-only booking systems, and communication barriers. Access to healthcare should not depend on technology skills.

We urge the Government to review current processes and introduce national standards for GP access to improve telephone and face-to-face booking options, strengthen interpreter services, and require transparent reporting of access performance so all patients can obtain timely care.