Please or to access all these features

Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Babylon: GP at hand - all thoughts welcome

132 replies

MichaelMumsnet · 08/11/2018 11:16

Hi folks,

Mumsnet is looking to team up with Babylon to promote their free NHS "GP at hand" service (available to people living or working within 40 minutes of a GP at hand clinic) and Babylon’s paid online doctor (available to all UK residents).

Babylon offers both a free NHS and private 24/7 GP service, which lets members have virtual doctor’s appointments from their mobile, arrange prescriptions for local collection and get specialist referrals.

To get the service for free, you need to live or work within 40 minutes of a GP at hand clinic and switch your registered NHS GP practice to GP at hand, Babylon’s NHS offering. When you register for GP at hand, you will be de-registered from your current GP practice. If you’d prefer to stay with your current GP, you can use the Babylon service on a pay as you go or subscription basis for quick, easy access to doctors anytime.

If you’re not sure whether you need to see a doctor, Babylon offers an AI symptom checker which you can access for free via their app. The app also has a handy tool called Healthcheck, which creates a free health report for you and suggests changes you can make to live a healthier lifestyle.

We think these services could be genuinely useful to parents (and non-parents) and we'd love to know what you think too – all thoughts and comments gratefully received!

MNHQ

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
spuddel · 01/03/2023 14:45

Looks like we got Babylon Gp by stealth and the lockdowns...

cucumbergin · 25/11/2018 13:58

Read this thread with increasing alarm - very relieved to see you've made the right choice here MNHQ. Regardless of Babylon's utility to some people, the broader context of it being used for privatising the NHS by stealth is utterly contrary to MNetters interests and beliefs.

ChestyNut · 25/11/2018 13:45

Thanks for listening @MNHQ Flowers

SealSong · 17/11/2018 23:20

Good outcome. Still disappointed that you even thought this might be ok though. Well done for listening.

RedToothBrush · 17/11/2018 10:16

Thank You.

Really. Thank You.

I've been despairing of much this week.

This is a welcome thing bucking the trend.

AwdBovril · 17/11/2018 07:18

Thankyou Justine Flowers

Graphista · 16/11/2018 22:20

Glad you've listened to your users. Thank you.

bertiesgal · 16/11/2018 19:30

I love mumsnet!

Thank you for listening!

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 16/11/2018 15:20

Wow, impressive response MN, thank you.

Footle · 16/11/2018 14:23

Thank you Justine for your response , though I totally sympathise with people whose working hours mean they can't get decent care.

BoreOfWhabylon · 16/11/2018 14:03

Thanks so much for listening Justine Flowers

snowdayfet · 16/11/2018 12:55

Wow just read this thread. I signed up for GP at Hand earlier this year and it is an absolutely amazing service. My old gp practice was woeful and I have had such a good experience.

Disappointing that knee jerk mumsnet users have slagged it off based on twitter - but I guess it’s your loss!

bookbook · 16/11/2018 12:17

Thank you so much for coming on and replying .
I am so relieved that you have listened to everyone

JustineMumsnet · 16/11/2018 11:36

Hi all,
Many thanks for your input. The reason we asked is because we thought there might be some strong views on this one. In general we steer organisations which are trying to change perceptions towards Mumsnet Rated as then it's really a case of getting honest feedback and if the feedback is good then we have grounds to do further promotional work, but we can see there are some people who have philosophical objections beyond how useful the product is and so we think best not to go ahead with this one. Thanks again for taking the time to give your views.

EdithWeston · 15/11/2018 07:31

Well, exactly, special treatment.

If MNers were asked 'do you think the solutions to the GP crisis is to increase the rate of privatisation of GP services, and should be support this specific company which is active in that field?' does anyone really think 'hell, yes bring it on'?

Aridane · 15/11/2018 01:31

Isn’t it just that MNHQ said they would pass on the questions to Babylon? And Babylon are posting the responses direct rather than MNHQ c&p’ing

EdithWeston · 14/11/2018 21:20

Other companies, when they join MN to post their PR, are deleted

I am concerned that this one is getting special treatment.

And it is not a company I wouid want anything to do with.

reenchantmentofeverydaylife · 14/11/2018 19:15

MN you're not remotely interested in hearing the views of members who disagree with this unethical deal between yourselves and Babylon. And that cynical, patronising attitude adds insult to injury.

Deeply disappointed.

RedToothBrush · 14/11/2018 18:58

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-nhs-health-app-deepmind-artificial-intelligence-ai-privacy-streams-app-a8633316.html
Google takeover of NHS-linked health app DeepMind is 'totally unacceptable', privacy lawyer says

Google subsuming the artificial intelligence-powered Streams app represents a 'trust demolition'

Aridane · 14/11/2018 18:43

Would prefer the NHS adopts this digitisation model in part rather than private companies compete/ undermine the NHS and cream off the easier/ younger patients

bookbook · 14/11/2018 17:12

this is truly not looking good.
I would also like to hear from @MNHQ as to whether this is already a fait accompli.
If so, its goodbye from me MN - I will await the answer ( do you think we will find out or will have to check ourselves - most likely ? )

Graphista · 14/11/2018 16:51

Really poor form to leave it so long before any more replies from mnhq

BoreOfWhabylon · 14/11/2018 16:49

It's certainly looking that way Red.

I'll wait for confirmation from MNHQ though - benefit of the doubt and all that.

RedToothBrush · 14/11/2018 16:37

I think a deal has already been done.

This is an attempt to make us all ok with it.

This is lip service.

EwItsAHooman · 14/11/2018 16:32

I am far more interested in whether Mumsnet intends to go ahead with this partnership, which is what this thread sought our opinions on.

This.

Babylon can crack on with their business, I don't agree with it but that's life, however I don't think MN should be actively endorsing them or working in partnership with them.

The fact that @MNHQ is here vouching for Babylon tells me that the deal is probably already done, although I'm cynical like that.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.