GPs can’t deal with patients’ calls about Welsh Covid passes, family doctors’ leaders say

GPs surgeries can’t be left to deal with calls about Welsh Covid passes, family doctors’ leaders have said.

The Institute of General Practice Management said that a helpline must be made available to redirect such phone calls, to help practice teams “concentrate on the day job”.

The Welsh Government have responded to say that people should call 0300 303 5667 to request a COVID Pass if you are unable to use the digital NHS COVID Pass.

The NHS Covid Pass website and app, which allows people to show their vaccine status, had stopped working earlier today.

The Institute of General Practice Management had said: ‘When Welsh citizens have difficulty accessing a Covid pass the first person they are advised to contact [is] their GP practice. There is no central helpline for these calls. This must change.”

But responding to the IGPM’s statement, a spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “If people are unable to use the digital NHS Covid pass they are invited to call 0300 303 5667 (which is a helpline number).”

It added that in its official guidance, “the only time people are advised to contact their GP is if their personal details are incorrect. GPs cannot provide letters showing your Covid-19 status.”

NHS Covid Passes became mandatory for entry into large events and some venues in Wales, including nightclubs and unseated indoor areas with more than 500 people, on Monday.

They are compulsory for over-18s, and show that people have either tested negative on a lateral flow test or are fully vaccinated against Covid.

The app crashed earlier today, and NHS Digital released a statement which said: “There are currently issues with accessing the Covid Pass on the NHS App and website. We are investigating the issue and will update as soon as we can.”