Would this work for NHS

[Fluffyears]

DH has had to use his work insurance to see a private specialist about an ongoing issue that the GP has been flummoxed by. To be fair the specialist said it’s fairly uncommon and he recognised it only due to experience.

DH was put on some strong medication and after a week was told to e-mail the specialist to update him on him on how it was working. DH e-mailed him and then had an e-nail back saying ‘great please adjust dosage to x and let me know if you have any side effects’.

Would this work for the NHS? No follow up appointment unless clinically needed, any questions or concerns addressed without the need to take up an appointment. DH will be seen again but in the meantime he has been able to follow up without worktinenoff and taking up a slot at the surgery.

Obviously it would need to be closely managed to stop it being abused. Would it help save time/money?

Emails still need to be replied to! So that time would otherwise be used for appointments.

Follow up appointments are not generally made unless clinically needed. They're often done by phone so the same principle as doing it by email.

Then there's the question of data security, most people don't use secure email services.

The principle is sound, but with the exception of the simplest cases, it's no more time/ cost effective than the current system.

It orobably depends on the practice and your relationship with your GP. I'm at a small practice and this already happens.

See I wondered becaysenumess you need blood pressure, blood tests etc a quick follow up e-mail or phone consultation msynactually save GP time. It may free up more appointments. It’s just a thought I had when I thought how good the e-mail follow up was rather than make an appointment for a week to see how the treatment is working.

starfish it just seems great idea. I’d Love to just send off an e-mail when I have some time, no missing work etc.

I think it depends on the individual circumstances.

I regularly email some of ds consultants and we have done medication changes via email but they are aware that I am clued up on the conditions and him and I am sensible with these things.

My gp changed my son's prescription over the telephone to a new drug over the telephone. It's a very busy but v well run practice covering several villages. They're v pragmatic.

I like a telephone appointment as it so much handier. I think this may be a modern solution that becomes more normal.