NHS Embraces Telemedicine Revolution: 71% of GP Consultations Now Delivered Remotely
- The UK's NHS has seen a dramatic shift in healthcare delivery, with 71% of routine GP consultations now conducted remotely, compared to just 25% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Health Secretary Matt Hancock has mandated that all future consultations should be teleconsultations unless clinically contraindicated, marking a significant policy shift in healthcare delivery.
- While telemedicine adoption shows promise, challenges remain including digital access inequalities, safeguarding concerns for vulnerable populations, and technological barriers for healthcare providers.