questionText: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of digital-first systems, including SMS-based appointment booking and online triage platforms, on patient access to NHS primary care services; what steps his Department is taking to ensure that such systems remain accessible and user-friendly for all patients, particularly older people, those with limited digital literacy, and individuals without reliable internet access, including in rural areas; and what guidance his Department has issued to GP practices on maintaining adequate non-digital, human lead routes of access to prevent delays in appointments and avoid patients disengaging from seeking care.
answerText: The NHS App provides a core national channel for patients to view, receive, and manage appointments across a range of care settings whilst ‘NHS Notify’ enables National Health Service organisations to send letters, text messages, and emails from a single ...
heading: Primary Care: Digital Technology