In line with demand, more patients than ever are utilising NHS Greater Glasgow’ and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) virtual consultation service.
The latest figures reveal in October along nearly 12,000 ‘Near Me’ appointments were undertaken across more than 970 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde services covering acute and primary care.
Near Me has played a key role during the pandemic to allow patients to receive the care they require from the comfort of their own homes and supported clinicians in managing their patients. The service lends itself well for a large number of patients who would otherwise have had to make an unnecessary in-person trip for their appointment.
An NHSGGC survey* of 3,481 virtual consultation patients found nearly all (98%) stated they would use the service again. More than four out of five (83%) highlighted not having to travel for an appointment as the biggest benefit, with just under two-thirds (61%) pointing to the increased convenience and 58% indicating the consultations represented a more efficient use of their time overall.
In total across October, virtual consultations lasted an average of 31 minutes, and for the majority of those given an appointment, fulfilled the same requirement as an in person appointment would.
Those patients who are unsuited to virtual consultations, or who require face-to-face appointments for other reasons such as physical examinations, are given in-person appointments, with each case being assessed on an individual basis to ensure patients receive tailored support specific to their needs.
Commenting, Dr Scott Davidson, deputy medical director for acute services at NHSGGC, said: “Remote or virtual consultations are a vital tool for healthcare professionals to deliver care. For a large number of patients it makes sense for us to deliver their care while they remain at home, than asking them to make what could be a substantial journey to an outpatient clinic for us to explain something in person which could easily be done over the video or phone. We know they are benefitting from the service because they tell us and we’ll continue to offer it to patients who are suitable.”
GP and deputy medical director for primary care services at NHSGGC, Dr Kerri Neylon, added: “Remote consultations are allowing our GPs to manage extremely high patient numbers, and providing a valuable service to patients where it’s not essential to be seen in person. The pandemic has forced a much more rapid implementation than previously planned, but feedback overall is very positive, and our patients are getting used to it. However, we are not taking a blanket approach with Near Me, and would stress that there are still thousands of telephone and face to face patient appointments taking place across GP practices in within Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you need to be seen in person, you will be.”
Some broad examples of virtual appointments working particularly well within Primary Care:
- When patients are isolating or unable to leave the house due to caring commitments
- Consultations for mental health concerns
- Consultations requiring joint examinations
ENDS.