Virtual GP services
Telephone GP consultations: quick summary
Most GP surgeries and the NHS app now offer phone and video appointments. The major health insurers have their own digital GP, and pay-as-you-go providers include Push Doctor and Doctor Care Anywhere.
Many of us avoid making an appointment to see the doctor because of the time, effort and travel involved. In today’s connected age, it is possible to have a GP consultation from the comfort of your own home.
Booking a GP appointment traditionally involves phoning up at 8am and being placed in a queue and eventually getting an appointment for the following week. Lucky applicants can get seen the same day, but experiences can differ wildly depending on region and specific surgery.
Some have the option to sit and wait, which would mean being seen sooner but having to take more time out of ones day.
Virtual GP services offer a convenient way to access healthcare without leaving your home. Options include video consultations via apps like Livi or Babylon, telephone appointments through your local surgery’s triage system, and online consultation forms (such as eConsult) for non-urgent advice. Many private health insurance providers also include 24/7 digital doctor access as a standard benefit.
NHS options for digital appointments
The majority of NHS practices now offer consultations by phone as a voice or video call. These would be arranged on the surgery’s website or the NHS app. This is achieved thanks to digital triage systems such as eConsult or AccuRx.
Livi is a private app, but it partners with local NHS GP surgeries across the UK. Participating surgeries enable free NHS appointments via the app.
Patients in London can register with GP at Hand instead of a traditional bricks and mortar medical practice. This digital-first NHS practice offers 24/7 free video and phone consultations.
In-person vs digital
Insurance-based virtual GPs
- Doctor at Hand (AXA)
- BUPA Digital GP
- Aviva Digital GP
- Vitality GP
- Teladoc Health
Pay-as-you-go virtual GPs
There will of course be certain users and scenarios that demand a face-to-face GP consultation, but in today’s digital age it can be hugely useful to have the option to dial in from home, work or on location. This increase in convenience can also reduce the temptation to just research the condition yourself. As with anything you see on this website or similar sources, there is no substitute to proper medical attention.
