This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53592678

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hancock: GP appointments 'should be by phone or video' Hancock: GP appointments 'should be by phone or video'
(32 minutes later)
People should have phone or video consultations with their doctors unless there is a clinical reason not to, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says.People should have phone or video consultations with their doctors unless there is a clinical reason not to, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says.
He said there had been a "hugely positive" response to virtual appointments during the coronavirus pandemic.He said there had been a "hugely positive" response to virtual appointments during the coronavirus pandemic.
They had worked particularly well in rural areas, he said.They had worked particularly well in rural areas, he said.
But Mr Hancock said people unable to log-in or who need emergency care would still be seen in person.But Mr Hancock said people unable to log-in or who need emergency care would still be seen in person.
'Zoom medicine'
He told a meeting at the Royal College of Physicians: "From now on, all consultations should be tele-consultations unless there's a compelling clinical reason not to.He told a meeting at the Royal College of Physicians: "From now on, all consultations should be tele-consultations unless there's a compelling clinical reason not to.
"Of course if there is an emergency, the NHS will be waiting and ready to see you in person, just as it always has been."Of course if there is an emergency, the NHS will be waiting and ready to see you in person, just as it always has been.
"But if they are able to, patients should get in contact first via the web or by calling in advance."But if they are able to, patients should get in contact first via the web or by calling in advance.
"That way, care is easier to manage and the NHS can deliver a much better service. "That way, care is easier to manage and the NHS can deliver a much better service."
"Not only will it make life quicker and easier for patients but free up clinicians to concentrate on what really matters." Mr Hancock said there had been dramatic changes to how the NHS worked as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and some things must not be allowed to go backwards.
He said the NHS "must not fall back into bad habits" and "we cannot and will not revert back to before", saying there needed to be a shift towards "Zoom medicine".
'Not suitable for everyone''Not suitable for everyone'
Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the increase in phone and online consultations during the pandemic had happened "out of necessity" and they could be an "efficient way of delivering care to patients".Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said the increase in phone and online consultations during the pandemic had happened "out of necessity" and they could be an "efficient way of delivering care to patients".
But he said doctors were already seeing more patients who wanted to have face-to-face appointments.But he said doctors were already seeing more patients who wanted to have face-to-face appointments.
He added: "Remote consultations, whether by telephone or video, won't be suitable or preferable for everyone, and that certainly isn't what the college is suggesting.He added: "Remote consultations, whether by telephone or video, won't be suitable or preferable for everyone, and that certainly isn't what the college is suggesting.
"Once more normal service resumes in general practice - and we await official guidance on this - patients who want face to face appointments will be able to have them.""Once more normal service resumes in general practice - and we await official guidance on this - patients who want face to face appointments will be able to have them."
He said telephone consulting posed a challenge for GPs at times, partly because of the the lack of visual cues that are often used to make diagnoses. He said telephone consulting posed a challenge for GPs at times, partly because of the the lack of visual cues that are often used to make diagnoses and particularly when patients have complex health needs.
He added: "The biggest challenge is when patients have complex health needs as being in the same room as a patient, often who you have built up a relationship with over time, is incredibly useful and difficult to replicate remotely," Edel Harris, chief executive of the charity Mencap, said the announcement could seriously exacerbate the health inequalities that already exist for people with a learning disability.
He added: "The UK's 1.5 million people with a learning disability should be offered face-to-face consultations automatically - without needing to ask for them."