‘Virtual GPs’ to open face-to-face practices

Simon Stevens will announce that the NHS will force ‘virtual GPs’ to open physical practices in an attempt to address growing shortages of doctors in many parts of the country.

According to reports, the NHS England chief executive will announce that companies offering NHS patients appointments by Skype must also open a local surgery offering face-to-face appointments.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, a digital advocate, has repeatedly said that every patient should be offered smartphone consultations, as part of efforts to put the NHS on a ‘digital first’ footing. This is in response to hundreds of villages having lost their GP surgery, with rural areas hit hardest.

Therefore, health officials will publish proposals to ensure virtual services can safely help more patients seeking online and video consultations, insisting that the firms behind them set up local practices to treat those who want to be seen face-to-face.

The British Medical Association has warned that England will soon be facing a shortage of 7,000 GPs, with Richard Vautrey, chairman of the BMA’s GP committee, urging the government to reform pension tax rules which have seen rising numbers take early retirement.