Plans are in the pipeline for doctors surgeries to be replaced by ‘virtual clinics’ where patients speak to a doctor via the phone or weblink. But will this cost cutting technology endanger lives rather than saving them?
Would you feel comfortable sitting at home in front of your computer telling your doctor your symptoms via Skype? Or what if you were in a meeting at work and you received a text detailing your recent test results.
As a nation of grumblers we complain about waiting times to get to see a doctor and then grumble if our appointment is late. But with a saving of £2.9 billion, do we have any room to complain?
Dr Dan Poulter spoke about the plans at a debate in Westminster last week.
He said: “We want to make life easier for patients. By allowing people to access the NHS online, we will help put an end to things like the 8am rush to phone your GP to try and book a medical appointment”
But older patients may not have access to Skype or may find it difficult to use the technology, but Dr Poulter insisted that face-to-face surgeries would still be available.
“It is important to stress that patients who are unwell and need to see their GP will still always have quality face-to-face time with them.”
As well as doctors utilising the technology, nurses would be issued with iPad’s to make use of Skype appointments and also to access test results for patients.
However Andy Burnham, the shadow Health Secretary believe the plans could be ‘dangerous’ for patients. And that “older people who don’t have access to the internet will lose out.”
What do you think to the virtual clinics? Would you be happy having a doctor’s appointment through Skype? Or do you prefer the good old fashioned way of face-to-face appointments?
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