GP contact changes 'a safety risk'

CHANGES to online access in GP surgeries has led to people submitting requests about life-threatening conditions on non-urgent forms, family doctors have said.

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It comes as more than two-thirds of GPs raised concerns about patient safety in a new poll.

From October 1, GP surgeries in England have been required to keep their online consultation platform open for the duration of their working hours for non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries and admin requests.

Family doctors told Pulse magazine they have since had reports from patients about difficulty breathing, rectal bleeding and severe vomiting on the forms, which are designed for non-emergencies.