I’ve just been given a service called 24 hour Private GP. It’s a “free extra” with health insurance that I have and sits alongside my regular GP service.A little bit more of the insidious privatisation and reduction of care of the health service. Like many for some while I've booked prescriptions and GP appointments online, this service being delivered by a private company, EMIS Health, on behalf of many GPs.
Now they've added the following:
As you will be aware, Patient Access enables you to access certain GP services online, including booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions.
We have now extended the appointment booking feature of Patient Access into pharmacies.
Certain services which patients would typically book with their GP practice, such as treatment for sore throat or hay fever, can also be delivered via pharmacies. Other services, such as hair loss treatment and antimalarial medicines, are not available to most, or to any patients on the NHS.
By enabling users to book appointments in pharmacies (as well as their GP practice) within Patient Access, you are able to access a greater choice of appointments. This also helps to alleviate pressure on GP practices.
Pharmacies are private businesses of course.
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24 Hour Private GP is supposed to give, 24 hour 365 days per year access to a GP within 2 hours, but via telephone or video link. Apparently, they can prescribe and do referrals. Let’s see how that goes. I can see this becoming the thin edge of wedge which finally sees off the traditional face to face GP’s surgery. Actual face to face consultation only being available to those who pay or have the insurance.