Millions of hospital appointments a year could be ‘replaced by Skype video calls’ in bid to save NHS and cut road traffic
Britain's top medics said 24million annual appointments could switch to video calls and that would save NHS cash and help patients avoid visit costs
MILLIONS of hospital visits a year could be replaced by Skype video-call appointments.
The Royal College of Physicians said it would save NHS and patient cash and cut road traffic.
Skyping could replace up to one in five hospital visits, leading doctors have predicted.
They said 24million of the 118million annual outpatient appointments could switch to video calls, phone chats or visits to a GP.
And that would save NHS cash, help patients avoid travel and childcare costs and boost the environment by cutting the number of road trips.
Dr Toby Hillman, of The Royal College of Physicians, called for “working in different ways and using technology available to us”. He added: “Most people have a smartphone in their pocket. It is a win-win if done properly.”
NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis backed the radical plans.
He said: “The outpatient system is older than the NHS. The time has come to use tech and other innovations to improve patients’ experience and care.
“For many, care can be delivered more timely and conveniently by specialists at the GP surgery or by using technology.”
But last night British Medical Association GP committee chairman Dr Richard Vautrey warned Skype consultations would be less popular with older patients.
He added: “Some struggle to use apps at all while others in rural areas may not even have broadband capacity.”
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