Patients are being urged not to delay making doctor’s appointments, as the number of video consultations being held has soared during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 17,500 virtual appointments have been held between GPs and patients over the last four months in North Yorkshire, following government guidance to reduce the number of face-to-face consultations to only those which are essential.
However, NHS North Yorkshire and York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said some people have been avoiding contacting their GP with health concerns in order to avoid contact. It urged people not to delay appointments and said video consultations are a safe way to have any potential problems addressed.
CCG clinical chair Dr Charles Parker said:
“Over the last four months patients have been somewhat reticent about contacting their GP practice, even when they’ve been really worried about their health.
“People wanted to follow the ‘stay at home’ message and were reluctant to reach out to their practice because they were either worried about being in an environment where they might be exposed to a Covid-19 risk or didn’t want to be contributing to the demand on NHS services at a time when there were very real fears our hospitals would be overwhelmed.
“But as more NHS services start returning to normal, now is not the time to be delaying a conversation if you have a health problem that’s making you anxious.
“If you are concerned about something you can always check out you symptoms and get advice on self-care from NHS111 Online. This service will give you simple advice on treatments and where to get help and support from if home treatment is not applicable.
Dr Parker said patients can use NHS11 Online to get advice on whether home treatment is appropriate, or if a pharmacy or GP practice could help. Anyone in doubt can still contact their GP practice in the usual way and arrange a telephone, video or face-to-face appointment, depending on their symptoms and circumstances.
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Of the 77 GP practices across North Yorkshire, 44 conducted their first video consultations in March and April, as lockdown began. Only a few had offered the service before.
One Harrogate patient, who has not been named, has described her virtual appointment and treatment. She said:
“I had a telephone consultation for an infection on my thumb nail; I shared pictures via text with the doctor and then went to collect a prescription from my local pharmacy. It was very swift and efficient and I’m glad I didn’t take up too much time for someone else who needed it.”
