GP leaders have raised concerns about the first NHS smartphone virtual GP service.
Millions of NHS patients who live or work in various locations in London can sign up to the service offering a GP consultation via a smartphone 24 hours a day.
But the Royal College of GPs said that while the scheme might be seen as a golden ticket for some patients, others are not eligible for it.
The GP at Hand service – created with the technology company Babylon Health – offers a booking system through a smartphone app, with the promise of a video consultation within two hours of booking.
If a patient needs a face-to-face appointment, he or she must travel to a clinic in a commuter hub.
Commenting on the launch of the project, Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Technology can achieve wonderful things when used properly, but we are really worried that schemes like this are creating a twin-track approach to NHS general practice and that patients are being ‘cherry-picked’, which could actually increase the pressures on traditional GPs based in the community….read more
Dear Reader,
If you like our content please support our campaigning journalism to protect health care for all.
Our goal is to inform people, hold our politicians to account and help to build change through evidence based ideas.
Everyone should have access to comprehensive healthcare, but our NHS needs support. You can help us to continue to counter bad policy, battle neglect of the NHS and correct dangerous mis-infomation.
Supporters of the NHS are crucial in sustaining our health service and with your help we will be able to engage more people in securing its future.
Please donate to help support our campaigning NHS research and journalism.
Comments are closed.