Private online GP provider Push Doctor is set to expand to more practices following a successful pilot, it has been revealed.
Push Doctor confirmed to Pulse that it is ‘on course’ to be live with 200 practices by the end of the year.
It follows an initial pilot in five surgeries last year, which saw 100,000 patients across Yorkshire, London, the South East and the West Midlands receive free GP video consultations through a partnership with NHS England.
Recent figures released last month by the private provider show that patients using the service wait on average 26 minutes before they can see a GP – from the moment they log onto the website and look for a GP – as opposed to the current average wait of around two weeks.
Dr Dan Bunstone, a GP and chief medical officer at Push Doctor, said: ‘We’re pleased to be rapidly growing our partnerships with the NHS, bringing free video GP consultations to millions of patients across the country.
‘GP practices are doing an incredible job serving their communities – by working with them we’re bringing innovation and choice to people, particularly helping those who may be juggling busy lifestyles, living with mobility issues or mental health conditions. And we’re helping free up tens of thousands of GP appointments in the process.
He added: ‘We’re on a mission to bring tens of millions of video consultations to the nation for free on the NHS, so they have the option of seeing a doctor on their phone, tablet or computer wherever they are.’
