Millions of patients have to wait for more than a fortnight to get an appointment with their General Practitioners (GPs). The long waiting times have been blamed on increase in number of patients post the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) publication in April 2024, more than 1.6 million patients had been waiting for a month to get an appointment with a GP.
One the reasons for long waiting times is that the number of patients per GP in steadily increasing in England (see the chart below). According to RCGP, GPs delivered 30.3 million appointments in April 2024 – nearly 25% more than April 2019 with fewer GPs. NHS workforce data also shows the average number of patients per fully qualified GP continues to rise and is now 2,294 - meaning each GP is, on average, responsible for 154 more patients than there were five years ago.
The NHS England GP Patient Survey 2024 found 34% of patients felt the waiting time for their GP appointment took "too long" while a further 10% claimed that their needs were not at all met at their last appointment. Many patients complained that they faced difficulties in getting through to their GP's surgery through phone, with lengthy call waiting times or getting dropped off before they could speak with someone.
Virtual GP as an alternative to face to face appointment
Technology enabled care services provide telemedicine solutions to patients who are unable to get an appointment at the doctor's clinic. You can have online video consultations with a doctor of your choice (from the panel of doctors) from the comfort of your home using your smartphone or PC. An online or virtual GP can issue prescriptions. Online consultation will save you a visit to the doctor's clinic and reduce mental stress or anxiety caused by long waiting times for an appointment with a GP.
Online medical services with Realm Protection Insurance Policy
Realm Protection's Accident, Sickness and Unemployment Insurance and Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance policies, include a suite of medical services that can be accessed through a mobile app. These services are provided by SQUARE HEALTH. Using SQUARE HEALTH's mobile app you can get round the clock virtual (online) access to a GP. The virtual GP can provide clinical advice and guidance. The GP can issue a private prescription, give a sick note and make a recommendation for further treatment on a case by case basis and wellness advice where appropriate.
Other medical services included in Realm Protection's insurance policy are:-
- Second opinion on a complex medical case from leading medical experts
- Quick and easy access to Mental Health professionals for initial screening and triage. Post triage, you'll either be routed for face to face consultation or recommended to use SQUARE HEALTH's digital pathway
- Access to an extensive suite of Physiotherapy services
Conclusion
Telemedicine is growing globally but it cannot replace physical examination fully. However, in many cases, virtual GP can diagnose your ailments and start the necessary treatment. You may still have to visit your GP when you get an appointment with him / her or take second opinion in complex cases. Very often, with early diagnosis and treatment, you can avoid more serious medical conditions later on. If you want to know more about virtual medical services in Realm Protection insurance policies, go to our homepage, scroll down to the section, "Did you know that a Realm Protection insurance policy also provides the following medical services" and provide your email address so that we may send you more information on these services.