Trying to book a GP appointment at 8am on the phone in the morning is a total nightmare. It is a stressful process, and since Covid, it’s even more of a nightmare trying to get a same day appointment.
With online GP services, we can now manage routine appointments, organize our prescriptions and get medical advice online, without having to attend your GP practice in person – if you were even able to get an appointment, that is.
How Online GP Services Work In Practice
Online GP services let you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and see parts of your health record on your surgery’s website.
You’re able to contact your GP without the telephone battle in the morning, and the secure messaging service lets you explain your issues and symptoms, and attach photos if necessary. Your GP is then able to decide whether an in-person appointment would be best, or refer you to someone else.
Having online access to your medical records, and your medication details can improve your safety as a patient, with audit trails, and less of a chance of issues with lost paperwork.
Booking Appointments Without The Waiting Room
You’re able to book a GP visit online, without having to do the 8am telephone call. Many GP websites and webGP system will show you their real-time availability for appointments, so you can pick a time that’s convenient for you.
Their online triage system allows you to explain your symptoms, so they can decide the best next step for you. They might recommend a written response back, that you get a phone call from a GP or nurse, a video appointment or an in-person appointment at the practice.
Saving Time For Busy Professionals And Families
Online consultations are so much more convenient, as you skip the travel and waiting rooms. You can book or join a video consultation from work or home, saving you time with the commute or waiting room times.
The booking systems and online appointment scheduling focuses on usability, helping people with different levels of digital literacy.
Telehealth fits in with your tight schedules, with shorter follow-ups, prescription refills and routine checks moving online, so you don’t have to take time off work to book an appointment.
Accessing Prescriptions And Sick Notes Online
You can order your repeat prescription through GP online services, or the NHS app, without having to call the surgery. This saves you time, and lets you request your medications when it’s convenient for you.
Many services will let you see your prescription history online, and your current medicines within your medical record.
If you need a sick note, you can often request one though an eConsult form, or an online message to your GP practice, and your GP will then review your record, and decide if they can write you a note, and send it to you directly, or on to your employer.
Proxy access lets you manage prescriptions and view records for someone else, like a child, or an older relative. There are rules for this kind of access, so you’d have to contact the surgery to find out how this can be set up for you.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.