Online GP appointments help Oxfordshire practice deal with NHS pressures
1 in 20 GP appointments in August were online, the highest number since records began.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2024
A GP from Oxfordshire says online appointments has helped them cope with the NHS pressures.
1 in 20 doctor appointments in August were carried out by video or online, which is the highest proportion since current records began.
Ed Capo-Bianco is a GP at Goring and Woodcote Medical Practice. He tells us why it's worked well for them:
"We've adopted a total triage process, that's where all requests for a GP appointment come through an online system. That enables to make sure that we are seeing the patients that we actually need to see as GPs and we can direct others to other services that are appropriate."
"I mean it's certainly enabled us to cope in what is a system with rising demand... ever rising demand, it seems. So yes, I think it's enabled us to be as responsive as we can."
The increase in video or online appointments has coincided with a fall in the proportion of face-to-face consultations. 70.8% of GP appointments were carried out in person in October 2023, but this figure had dropped to 64.8% by August this year, that's the lowest since June 2022.
Dr Rachel Ward, a GP and member of the Rebuild General Practice campaign group, said: "GPs are seeing more patients than ever before - providing 27.6 million total appointments in August alone."
"We have been ringing the alarm bell for years, saying that the profession needs to retain its GPs, receive fairer funding, and have greater autonomy."
"Where we can offer online appointments - and importantly, when patients themselves want them - we will do so. This is often more convenient for our patients and allows us to see all patients more quickly and equally as effectively."
"For those patients who need or request an in-person appointment, we ensure that this is respected and that patients receive the care they want and deserve."
"The crux of the issue is not about online appointments - it's about having enough GPs to begin with."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Patients who prefer a face-to-face appointment should have one and we are also committed to shifting care from analogue to digital, which includes offering patients digital appointments when and where they need one."
"We will get primary care back on its feet, shifting the focus out of hospitals and into the community, fixing the front door of the NHS and ending the misery of people unable to get a GP appointment."