Despite the move towards virtual GP Appointments, NHS patients are still left waiting for a consultation
During the last 18 months, there has been an increasing move towards virtual GP appointments with fewer consultations now taking place face to face with an NHS doctor.
Recent statistics reveal that over 60% of appointments now take place by telephone or video. This way of working is clearly here to stay; however, many patients report of struggling to get through to their GPs on the phone and face long waits even for remote consultations.
In the recent Daily Mail article from the 6th of September 2021, one elderly patient was quoted, “I phoned today and was told there were no appointments for the next 3 weeks, with emergency appointments only. When I insisted, I was given a phone appointment with a practice nurse in three weeks’ time.”
Another patient reported, “It is virtually impossible to even have a phone consultation. You are asked to phone after 8am but the lines are always engaged and by the time you get through all the appointments have gone.”
Whilst many patients are becoming much more comfortable with remote consultations with their GP, a number of issues have emerged:
Delays – it can take up to three weeks to get a remote appointment
Convenience – appointments are only available during surgery opening hours
Expertise – in many cases an appointment will be offered with the practice nurse and not the GP
Our Solution
Here at 1Stop4aGP we offer same day access to a remote consultation with a practicing GP 24/7 and 365 days in the year.
The service is available to employees and their immediate family and there is no limit on the consultation time or the number of times the service can be used.
Nearly 50% of consultations take place during the night and over 80% of issues are resolved on the first call. Where urgent action is required, you are fast tracked into the appropriate NHS service.
