The move will bring an end to the “total triage” system introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.

GPs have been told the use of telephone and online consultations can remain where patients benefit from them, but physical appointments must also be available from May 17.

Dr Jason Seewoodhary, GP at Barbourne Medical Centre, said: “This is excellent news and reflects the huge success of the lockdown measures and vaccination program.

"Whilst telephone and video consultations have a helpful role, they are limited in their application, namely, you can’t examine patients effectively.

"As a GP, the best part of the job is being able to support our patients to the best of our ability and there is no better way to do this than via a face-to-face assessment, which gleans much more useful clinical information.”

In a letter sent out on Thursday, all practice reception desks must now be open to patients, in a Covid-safe manner, so those who do not have easy access to phones or the internet are not disadvantaged when accessing care.

Before the pandemic, some 70% of appointments were face-to-face and 30% were phone, video or online, but this switched around to 30% face-to-face and 70% remote at the height of the crisis.

The total triage system was introduced as a Covid-19 precaution. Patients were screened remotely before being directed to the most appropriate health service for their problems.

In the joint letter from Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director for primary care at NHS England and director of primary care Ed Waller, doctors were told patients’ preferences must be respected.

"Patients and clinicians have a choice of consultation mode,” they said.

They added: “Patients’ input into this choice should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face-to-face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary.

"Patients should be treated consistently regardless of mode of access."