Increase in remote GP consultations

GPs (RCGP), said: “Remote consultations, whether delivered over the phone or via video, can offer convenience and flexibility that many patients value, and evidence has shown that in the vast majority of cases, remote care is safe.

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“Often a GP might initially consult with a patient remotely and then ask them to come into the practice if it’s necessary to see them in person.

“However, we also know that many patients prefer to access their care in-person, and this is how the majority of appointments are still delivered.

“Over the last 12 months, GPs and their teams have delivered a record-breaking number of appointments, and nearly 250 million were carried out in person.”

Some 63.3% of GP appointments in June in England were in person, data shows, down from 65.3% a year earlier and 68.4% in June 2023.

Online appointments include those carried out using live chat tools or non-video apps, as well as video-based calls.