A major change to GP appointments will finally put an end to the dreaded '8am battle'

Britons will finally be able to escape the dreaded scramble for an 8am doctor's appointment as big changes are introduced.

Every GP practice in England will switch to a digital telephone system in the spring to streamline and simplify the way patients register.

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This move means people will no longer be met with the frustrating, concerned tone during the early morning rush hour to secure a spot.

More than a thousand practices across the country have signed up for the upgrade, which will come into effect from March next year.

The move to the hi-tech system is being supported by a £240 million investment from the government, which was announced in May.

It falls under the umbrella of the Primary Care Recovery Plan, which aims to tackle some of the pressures that are draining GP practices.

It is hoped that patients will be able to contact their GP more quickly and have their request dealt with on the day, rather than having to call back.

The new dial-in process also aims to eliminate the brutally annoying busy tone or “try again later” request, as online systems give them more options.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are delivering on our commitments to make access to GP appointments easier while increasing workforce numbers.

“With the support of NHS England, GP practices, pharmacies and dental practices, backed by significant investment from the Government, we will end the 8am scramble to book appointments.”

It comes as new figures suggest one in six people have waited at least two weeks for a GP in England in the past year.

The government says it is making progress on the Primary Care Recovery Plan, and discussions are ongoing with NHS England and pharmaceutical companies.

Consultations will be launched to discuss how to alleviate stress in GP practices by referring patients to other healthcare services.

This includes looking at the possibility of giving dental hygienists and pharmacy technicians more power when prescribing certain medications.

Health Minister Neil O'Brien said the government wants to “ensure we make the best use of skilled professionals” while “giving dentists and pharmacists the space to carry out essential services”.

He added: “We have so many skills and experience within our practices and pharmacies and making better use of technology, transferring services and reducing bureaucracy will give us a more efficient and effective service.”

Another idea is to give women access to oral contraception through pharmacies, rather than through their doctors.

In addition, patients who need prescription drugs for seven common conditions, such as earache or shingles, would be able to get them without an appointment with a doctor.

Blood pressure checks at local pharmacies are also being expanded.

Dr. Kiren Collison, GP and interim medical director for primary care at NHS England, said: “GP teams are already treating record numbers of patients, but we are committed to improving access further. That's why it's fantastic that all GP practices are upgrading their telephone systems to make it as easy as possible for patients to contact their practice.

“The NHS is also offering people more convenient options in terms of how they access care, with pharmacies playing a central role in the management of the country's healthcare system, and the pharmacy consultation announced today will see more staff provided with life-saving checks and medications can provide in the shopping streets. .”