Parent in London (within the M25) or Birmingham? Want to try a new GP app? £250 to be won NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We have been asked by the team at GPDQ to find 50 Mumsnetters to try their app and service (for free) and report back with feedback on a thread on Mumsnet. Testers would also be asked to complete a short survey.

Note: the GPDQ service covers - at present - postcodes within the M25 and Birmingham - see a list here - please only apply if you live in one of the postcodes.

GPDQ say “Launched in 2015, our innovative service delivers a doctor to your door within an average of 90 minutes. Simply request a GP via the smartphone app, over the phone or through the website, confirm your location and use the app to track your doctor's progress.

GPDQ doctors are required to meet exceptional standards of clinical experience and patient care. All doctors:

• Are UK trained and registered with the General Medical Council
  
• Undergo rigorous interviews with our founder & clinical lead
  
• Have passed full background checks and completed detailed training
  
• Continue to work in the NHS
  
• Receive ongoing clinical and educational support.
  

Along with routine visits GPDQ can offer referrals and prescriptions, or just a little reassurance you need it most.

Visits are calculated on a time basis and there are no hidden fees. Your selected GP can see multiple family members in a single visit, or discuss multiple issues. Prices start at £120, and include a 25-minute consultation and any necessary written scripts for medication, referrals and sick notes.

GPDQ is open seven days a week, from 8am to 11pm, within the M25 and Birmingham. To book use the smartphone app or phone".

Selected testers will need to download the app (available on Google Play and iTunes) and will then need to book an appointment via the app or over the phone - this can be for themselves or a member of their family. Selected testers have to mid-December to book their GP visit. After they have tried the service they will need to report back on a thread on Mumsnet and also complete a short survey - this element needs to be completed by 31st December 2017.

All selected testers who take part and who share feedback as required will be entered a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £250 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

If you’d like to take part, please add your details here.

We will be in touch with selected testers asap,
Thanks MNHQ

[Buzzardbird]

Can the app be used more than once if necessary before the 31st December, or is it just for a one-off appointment?

[AnnMumsnet]

@Buzzardbird

Can the app be used more than once if necessary before the 31st December, or is it just for a one-off appointment?

A one off appointment is included in the test

[DancingLedge]

So, is this MNHQ endorsing the creeping privatisation of medicine in the UK?

Maybe desirable for those who can afford it, but, we have a huge national shortage of GPs.
If some of population can pay for more , then, inevitably, those of us who can't will be left with even less
Even less access to Drs than we have now.
And now is frighteningly thin GP cover where many of us live.

[Cheesecake53]

Absolutely second Dancing's post. Unbelievable.

[Cheesecake53]

Doctors continue to work in the NHS - so NHS doctors are urgend to go private. Utterly shameful that musnet promotes that!

[BigUnicornsDontCry]

As an NHS doctor I am APPALLED than MN are gladly supporting the destabilisation and sneaking privatisation of the NHS.

[dobby2001]

Appalled to see this on Mumsnet. Far from these private GP services doing anything to help lift the burden from the NHS - which is the usual argument used, they take GP away from it AND make more work for them during the hours unavailable, or by the fact patients will turn to the NHS for further help as they dont want to pay money for further private appointments.

I work for the NHS in primary care, including liason with GPs and OOHs services, we often have such experiences so know what I am talking about.

Disgraceful that Mumsnet think this is something to promote. :-(

[BackforGood]

Have to agree with all the posters above.
Really disappointed in MN.

[DancingLedge]

Our NHS- probably the biggest difference between living in this country, and elsewhere.
Probably the thing we all most value and agree on.

You know that sinking feeling- a pet's got something wrong, but , it's so expensive going to the vets, maybe we'll wait till tomorrow, maybe the limp will have gone by then. Now imagine feeling that. But it's your child.

You know that sinking feeling, the car's kind of making a funny noise. Oh shit, if this is something major, I don't know how I'll pay for it. Now imagine that's your baby.

That's life without the NHS

The largest single cause of personal bankruptcy in the US is medical expenses.

Why would you not support the NHS? Why would you be careless of aligning yourself with those who undermine it?

[SparePantsAndLego]

Well said, Dancing. I totally get that MN is a commercial enterprise but surely there are limits.

This feels so wrong.

[camelfinger]

I suspect they’ll overrefer and overprescribe. I’d rather pay an extra £120 in taxation to improve our existing NHS than this.

[PhilODox]

I agree with sentiments above. The NHS is what keeps people in UK going. Without a free at point of use service the Just About Managings a will become Just Hanging on With Bits Falling Off, and God help the Submerged Fifth. NHS keeps people alive, regardless of them being able to afford its assistance.
Poor show, MNHQ.

[HappyVan]

Disappointed in MN for promoting this.

[TulipQueen]

Shame on you Mumsnet for promoting this.

[tinytemper66]

I am shocked by this too! Disappointing Mumsnet!

[EvilDoctorBallerinaRoastDuck]

I'm so glad I'm in one of the postcodes listed! Yes please!

[Almostthere15]

Mumsnet does this service register you from your current gp like other similar ones do. Because if so you really should say.

Also, do these services have access to your current medical records. That's fairly important isn't it when receiving care!

[Elledouble]

Poor decision. Really poor.

[FriggyPudding]

Disappointing.

[leghoul]

Wow

[frogsoup]

This is appalling. I'm disgusted that you are promoting this MN.

[leghoul]

Just to clarify, my wow was an expression of how dumbfounded I was by this and had no words to express how poorly I thought of this from MN.

[DancingLedge]

I asked MNHQ for a response to the comments on this thread.

Now the thread seems to have been deleted from ' threads I'm on'.

[FriggyPudding]

Mumsnet, can you clarify your position on this for us, please? I understand that you're a business and need money from advertising/promotions to operate as you do. But I remember reading that you're very careful when choosing which products/services you choose to advertise/promote, making sure they're in line with your company ethos. Are we to assume from this that you endorse privatisation of healthcare in the UK? This information may help people choose in turn whether or not to use and endorse Mumsnet. Many thanks in advance for your clarification.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks everyone for your comments here - we're running this product test because for some parents, this might be a handy and helpful service. There are times when it can be difficult to get to the doctor, especially for parents juggling home, work and small children - but we want to know how you feel about what's on offer here for patients. Thanks to those of you who have signed up, and to those of you who've shared your thoughts here - we'll take it all your sentiments on board.