Karen Woodley
Whether you have private health insurance or not, the beginning of a health journey usually starts with a GP appointment.
However, not everybody can access a GP appointment when they need to.
Increase in demand for GP appointments
GPs continue to face considerable pressure with some parts of the country seeing a substantial increase in demand for appointments. GP Online recently reported that some areas delivered up to 33% more appointments in the last quarter of 2021 compared with the same period in 20191. This increase is partly driven by requests for repeat appointments from patients facing long delays on NHS waiting lists2.
More than one in four remote GP appointments resulted in a referral
The remote GP service continues to be the most used health and wellbeing benefit we offer through HealthWise, our member benefits app.
Between January and May this year, more than one in four remote GP appointments resulted in a referral letter to a specialist or consultant. Providing fast access to a consultant for diagnosis and treatment is a great way to help our members start their health journey quickly.
You matter more
When members are struggling to see their GP, accessing remote appointments through Healthwise can be invaluable. Not only in terms of reassurance but in enabling members to get a referral to a specialist. And using HealthWise has no impact on No Claims Discounts, policy details or future premiums.
If you want to find out more about the remote GP service, you can hear from a GP at Square Health. In this short video Michael La, shares the common reasons why people use the remote GP service. Watch the short video and grab yourself 10 minutes of CPD learning.
1. https://www.gponline.com/gp-appointments-data-reveal-exponential-rise-demand-pandemic/article/1737508
2. https://www.gponline.com/map-parts-england-fastest-rising-demand-gp-appointments/article/1737565
HealthWise is provided by Square Health.