Patients 'fobbed off 'with remote GP appointments

Third of consultations by phone or online

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

THE NHS has been accused of "fobbing off" patients after figures showed one in three GP appointments were carried out over the phone or online in June - the highest proportion since the pandemic.

This was up from 30.9% a year earlier and 28.3% in June 2023, said analysis of official health service data.

Critics said the creep towards more digital appointments could worsen access problems for elderly patients.

Dennis Reed, director of over-60s campaign group Silver Voices, said: “This problem will never be solved until there is a legal right for patients to have a timely face-to-face appointment with their GP.

Convenience