Let’s be honest – working in a GP practice has never been an easy task. But over the past few years, the pressures have piled on like never before. Staff shortages, patient backlogs, endless phone calls…
So, what does 2025 bring to the table?
Well, the NHS pay rise 2025 is a welcome move. A bit of breathing room for stretched teams and some long-overdue recognition. But while the extra pay might help with retention for now, it’s not going to fix the root problem: too many tasks, not enough time.
So… what’s actually happening with the NHS pay rise 2025?
You’ve probably heard whispers (and groans) about the NHS pay rise 2025 – but where are we actually at?
Well, not as far along as most of us would like.
The new financial year kicked off on 1 April, but NHS staff are still waiting to find out exactly what their pay increase will be. It’s late, again. The Pay Review Body won’t report back until May, and the government’s final decision probably won’t land until June. Which, let’s face it, isn’t great for anyone trying to budget or plan ahead.
So far, the government’s suggested a 2.8% increase for public sector workers, including NHS staff. But unions have already hit back, saying it doesn’t go far enough – especially with how much the cost of living has jumped.
There are also predictions floating around that the final figure might end up closer to 3.5%, but nothing’s confirmed. Meanwhile, some of the lowest-paid NHS workers (bands 1 and 2) have already had a small bump in pay to keep up with the new National Living Wage – around 28p more an hour.
The delays and uncertainty are understandably frustrating. Pay rises should be a boost, not a source of stress. And with everything NHS teams have been through, it’s no wonder morale’s feeling a bit shaky.
That’s why more and more practices are looking at other ways to support their staff – like cutting admin, reducing phone call overload, and giving teams tools that actually make a difference day to day.
Digital can help. We’ve seen it.
Just look at Carolside Medical Centre – by improving their digital access, they cut their phone calls by 30%. That’s not just a stat. That’s breathing room for staff.
Why going digital isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore
If your receptionists are still battling hundreds of daily calls, chasing patients for forms, or explaining the same things over and over, it’s time to rethink your setup.
Patients expect more these days. They’re used to doing their banking, shopping and bookings online – and they expect their GP surgery to work the same way. That’s why a modern, well-designed NHS website is more than just a digital front door. It’s a pressure valve.
And with tools like smart forms, online appointment triage, and user-friendly navigation, your practice can actually reduce admin, not just shift it around.
Quick win: is your practice digitally ready?
We’ve pulled together a Digital Readiness Checklist for Practices to help you figure out where you stand:
✅ Is your NHS website mobile-friendly, accessible and easy to navigate?
✅ Can patients submit requests or request appointments online without needing to call?
✅ Do you offer digital triage or smart forms to help streamline requests?
✅ Are staff spending more time helping patients than dealing with admin?
✅ Have you reviewed patient feedback on digital services in the past 6 months?
If you’re ticking less than 3 of these, don’t worry – you’re not alone. But it’s also a clear sign that your practice could benefit from a few digital upgrades.
What healthcare digital transformation looks like in real life
We get it – healthcare digital transformation sounds like a big buzzword. But in real terms, it’s about making small but mighty changes that add up. It’s about swapping endless phone queues for smart forms. Replacing confusion with clarity on your NHS website. Giving patients quick wins via NHS online services so your team can breathe.
Here’s the thing: the practices embracing digital health properly aren’t just ticking a box. They’re seeing measurable impact.
Take Carolside Medical Centre, for example. They worked with us to improve their digital access and saw a 30% drop in phone calls. That’s time saved, stress reduced and a smoother experience for everyone – patients and staff alike.
So, what’s next?
The NHS pay rise 2025 is a step in the right direction. But for most primary care teams, what they really need is time, headspace and fewer headaches. That’s what going digital can offer when it’s done right.
If you’re ready to ditch the daily chaos and build a smarter future for your team, get in touch to find out how our solutions helped Carolside Medical Centre cut their phone calls by 30%.
And if you haven’t already – why not start with our Digital Readiness Checklist above? Small steps. Big impact.
FAQS: what you need to know about digital health and the NHS pay rise 2025
The 2025 NHS pay rise is still in limbo. Although the new financial year began on 1 April, NHS staff are still waiting for clarity. The Pay Review Body is expected to report in May, with the government’s final decision likely in June. A 2.8% rise has been suggested, but it could end up being closer to 3.5%. Meanwhile, the lowest-paid staff have already received a small uplift.
Because it helps teams do more with less. From smart forms and digital triage to streamlined NHS websites, digital health tools reduce admin, ease phone traffic and help practices cope with ongoing staff pressures.
A good NHS website acts like a digital front door – letting patients find information, request appointments and access services without calling. If it’s hard to use or out of date, patients go straight to the phones.
Use our handy Digital Readiness Checklist in the blog to get a quick sense of where you stand. If you’re ticking fewer than 3 boxes, it’s likely your patients – and your staff – are feeling the friction.
Carolside Medical Centre is a brilliant example. After improving their NHS website and digital access, they saw a 30% drop in phone calls. Less admin, more headspace for their team.