The NHS is looking to tech specialists to help tackle the 8am rush for appointments at GP surgeries.

Suppliers are being invited to tender for a new framework which it is hoped will enhance GP practices' capabilities to provide online consultations, and improve their communication with patients.

The Digital Pathways Framework will include new tech systems that will cater for online consultations, administrative request reporting, online patient or service user consultation, care navigation, and online administrative requests.

NHS England’s director of digital primary care, Mark Sayers said: “Surgeries with modern messaging, online booking, and video consultation systems find they have more capacity and less of an 8am rush, while giving patients a convenient way to get the help they need.

“I’d encourage all suppliers to come forward who are able to provide the high-quality tools and technology needed to support our vision for modern general practice.”

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: "As well as growing staff numbers in GPs by 30% since 2019, we are also investing £240 million to give GPs the latest technology. We are working to abolish the 8AM rush and make it easier to see your GP in a convenient way.”