Digital tools to support modern ways of working within general practice

Digital pathway tools

The GP contract requires that practices use digital pathway tools such as:

online consultation
messaging
appointment booking
demand and capacity

These tools support delivery of modern general practice.

Requirement

Practices must have online consultation tools operational during core hours by October 2025. This is a requirement of the GP contract.

The 2 year delivery plan for recovering access to primary care funding (PCARP) has ended. From 2025/26 integrated care boards (ICBs) must use their baseline funding to secure digital pathways tools for their practices. NHS England is working collaboratively with:

ICBs
primary care networks
practices
the national commercial and procurement hub

To ensure these organisations discuss their requirements and they follow the most appropriate buying route.

Read our digital pathways tools guidance

ARTICLE

Digital pathways tools guidance 2025/26

Information for ICBs to enable the procurement of online consultation, messaging and appointment booking solutions.

Digital telephony

ARTICLE

Advanced Telephony Better Purchasing framework

Once a practice's current telephony contract expires, they must follow the GP contract. This requires that any new telephony solutions must be procured from the Advanced Telephony Better Purchasing framework.

Contact us

Support is also available from the NHS England national commercial and procurement hub team: [email protected].

Last edited: 23 September 2025 2:05 pm