Rise of 'virtual doctors' as one in 20 GP appointments performed online or by video
manchestereveningnews.co.ukOne in 20 GP appointments in England in August were carried out by video or online - the highest proportion since current records began.
Doctors said remote consultations are "often more convenient" for patients, but they work to ensure requests for face-to-face appointments are respected.
They also claim the "issue is not about online appointments, it's about having enough GPs to begin with". The proportion of GP appointments delivered by video or online has been rising steadily for much of the past year-and-a-half, passing 1% in May 2023, 2% in August and 3% in December.
It hit 4% in March 2024 and stood at 5.2% in August: the first time it has been above 5%, according to analysis of NHS England data. READ MORE: Daughter PUNCHED by bloke as she tried to stop road rage driver from attacking her dad The increase in appointments done by video or online has coincided with a fall in the proportion of face-to-face consultations.
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