GPs told to resume face-to-face appointments after Covid booster success

GPs have been told to resume face-to-face appointments after routine services were paused for the vaccine rollout.

NHS chiefs told doctors to “restore routine services” now that most people have received a booster dose. It comes as official data revealed that only 61 per cent of GP consultations in England were in person, compared with 80 per cent before the pandemic.

The number of routine appointments offered fell from 30 million in November to just 25 million in December, government data shows. The rollout has proved successful with more than 30 million people - over 60 per cent of adults in the UK - having now had their booster.

Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director for primary care at NHS England, wrote to GPs on Thursday urging them to resume in-person operations. She said: “This further guidance… recognises that as we approach the end of January, we anticipate there will be lower demand for booster. “It is now important that all services across the NHS, including in primary care, are able to restore routine services where these were paused in line with the Prime Minister’s request to focus all available resources on the Omicron national mission.”

This will be welcome news to Barking and Dagenham residents as it has emerged with local Healthwatch how difficult people have found getting face-to-face appointments. The elderly and people that don't access technology have been particularly affected.