During June and July 2025, Healthwatch Calderdale and Kirklees heard from local people about their experiences of using digital tools to access GP services. This includes online systems such as PATCHS, SystmOnline, and AccuRx, as well as the NHS App. Digital access is now a bigger part of NHS services. National policy encourages a move from paper and phone to digital, aiming to save staff time, improve access and give people more control.
We aimed to understand what is working well, where people struggle and how digital systems could be improved to work better for everyone.
From the feedback that we heard, we made a list of recommendations to improve access and reduce inequalities. We will be sharing these recommendations with NHS leaders and managers.
