GPs being helped to take more calls at peak times as part of appointment drive

Surgeries will reportedly be told they will no longer be able to ask patients to ring back later.

GP surgeries are being assisted to increase their capacity to take calls in peak hours as part of efforts to slash waiting times for appointments (Elva Etienne/Alamy/PA)

GP surgeries are being helped to increase their capacity to take calls as peak times as part of an appointment drive.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said practices were being given support to “make better use of digital telephone systems” so they can “increase capacity to take calls from patients particularly at the busiest times”.

The confirmation comes before the UK Government’s primary care recovery plan is published.