Publish date: 6 January 2026
Today, the Government announced that from next year, patients will have the option of seeing specialists online for an initial nine common conditions where there is a real disparity in access to care and the longest waits. This aims to unlock access to specialist care right across the country, helping patients bypass bottlenecks in waiting lists.
The common conditions are Glaucoma, Medical Retina (including AMD), Cataracts, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Prostate Enlargement, Raised PSA, Menopause, and menstrual issues, including endometriosis.
This new approach aims to truly transform access to care, making it as simple as ordering a taxi or a takeaway. It means quicker access to care that works around your life, rather than you working around the NHS and face-to-face appointments freed up for those who really need or prefer them.
NHS Online won't replace traditional care. Patients will always have the choice of face-to-face appointments, and those who need physical examinations or procedures will continue to receive them either at hospital or local hubs nearby. The digital revolution of the NHS is here, with online access to specialist care for more conditions set to be further expanded through the rollout of NHS Online.